Having your child's birthday party at home has its advantages. It's usually less expensive and provides an intimate environment. However, most kids eventually want to have their birthday party at a locale other than their own backyard. That's where this guide comes in handy.

Whether your kid is more bouncy or craft-oriented, there's a Brew City birthday party that can accommodate his / her wishes --t of the away-from-home birthday party is that you don't have to clean up after the festivities.

Here's a list of Milwaukee businesses that offer birthday parties, and feel free to add your own via the Talkback feature.

Build-A-Bear Workshop
2500 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa, (414) 453-2327
buildabear.com
Prices vary greatly at a Build-A-Bear party, but a "pawsonal" party planner helps keep it within your budget. Each guest gets to "build" a bear, which starts at $10 per child for a simple, undressed bear. To build a bear with an outfit and accessories, the price starts at $25 per kid.

Chuck E. Cheese
2701 S. Chase Ave., (414) 483-8655
chuckecheese.com
The birthday party package is $10.99 plus tax per guest. Each guest receives 20 tokens, and the birthday child gets 1oo tokens. A "Super Party Package" can be purchased for an additional cost. Some pizza and soda included in both packages.

Hoffer's Tropic Life Pets
7323 N. 76th St., (414) 760-2257
Kids get to observe fish and reptile areas, and will meet a bunny, chinchilla, rat, millipede, beaded dragon and / or snake. The cost is $150 for up to 15 kids. Parents may bring in food, beverage and party favors, can set up in a large party room.

Kid-do's Glamour Partyz
N81W15042 Appleton Ave., Menomonee Falls, (262) 251-8060
Glam up your next party with a special makeover, hairstyle and nail polish application at one of the few hair salons just for kids in the Milwaukee area. The cost is $15 per kid, and there's a four kid minimum. The party is approximately two hours long and includes fun music to dance to and a "modeling show."

Koz's Mini Bowl
2087 S. 7th St., (414) 383-0560
Weekend bowling parties available for $2.50 per kid and $3 per adult. Features four lanes of "duck pin" bowling and human pinsetters. Soda and chips available for purchase.

Lucky Bob's Raceway
5822 W. Forest Home Ave., Greenfield, (414) 327-4003
At Lucky Bob's, a slot car racing party costs $90 and allows eight guests. (Additional guests cost an extra $10 each.) The party package includes practice race time, a 30-minute race and a T-shirt for the birthday child. Pizza, treats and sodas available for purchase.

Milwaukee County Zoo
10001 W. Bluemound Rd., (414) 771-3040
www.milwaukeezoo.org
Prices and packages vary, but the zoo offers a fun, educational environment for birthday parties of all sizes. Call for more information.

Monkey Joe's
2040 W. Bluemound Rd., Waukesha, (262) 549-3866
monkeyjoes.com
Monkey Joe's indoor inflatable playground offers party rates that range from $139-299, depending on the number of guests and whether the party is held on a weekday or weekend. Parties include use of a party room, and you can bring in your own cake. Food and drink must be purchased from Monkey Joe's vending area.

Murray Hill Pottery
2458 N. Murray Ave., (414) 332-8828
murrayhillpottery.com
Murray Hill offers small-scale kids' parties where each guest makes and paints a clay bowl. Bring in your own food and drink. Call Murray Hill for more information.

Organ Piper Music Palace
4353 S. 108th St., (414) 529-1177
Call ahead to make a reservation for your child's party. Organ Piper doesn't offer party packages, but can accommodate large groups and offers pizza, a game room and free organ entertainment.

Pettit National Ice Center
500 S. 84th St., (414) 266-0100
www.thepettit.com
Ice skating parties are available in three packages, and all include skate rental, admission and food and drink. Three packages are available, ranging from $9 to $13 per guest, depending on food and drink choices. Please call one week in advance.

Pump It Up
195 N. Janacek Rd., Brookfield, (262) 780-1010
pumpitupparty.com
Pump It Up features an array of indoor bouncy structures. Parties range from $279 for a weekend party with 25 guests to $209 for a weekday party with 14 guests. Drinks and use of party room are included.

Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
1111 E. Brown Deer Rd., Bayside, (414) 352-2880
Have your birthday at the center, or have the center come to you. Naturalist-led nature parties starring three or four of Schlitz Audubon's reptile and amphibian friends include a two-hour nature program for up to 15 kids.