When it comes to celebrating their children's birthdays, many of today's parents are ditching home sweet home, with the streamers overhanging a gift-covered table in a cramped dining room.

And there are plenty of kid-friendly businesses willing to accommodate them.

Stephanie Gibson of North Hall said she has held parties at home and away - and prefers away.

"I have three daughters ... and it is the same expense either way," she said. "It is honestly easier to go outside of the house now."

Gibson celebrated her daughter Caroline's eighth birthday at AlterEgo Kids Salon Spa and Celebrations at 200 Washington St. in Gainesville.

AlterEgo, geared toward children, mixes haircuts with pampering, featuring such styles as "Glam Girl" and "Rocker Boy." Customers also can pay for a party that plays up style, fashion and music in different types of settings, such as a rock concert.

"They have a program where they do a ‘diva for a day' and the moment (Caroline) walked in the door, the first thing she said was, ‘I want to have my birthday party here,'" Gibson said. "She did the rock star party."

Many of today's adults, particularly older ones, didn't celebrate the big day with friends in a playland or dance party under blinking lights. Pin the tail on the donkey or whacking away at a piñata in the front yard was about as exciting as it got.

"I think that when we were children, you didn't really invite a lot (of people)," said Beth Wilmont, general manager at Monkey Joe's indoor play center. "Your parents might have let you invite one or two friends, and most (of the guests) were family members.

"... And you know, moms didn't work a lot back then. Now, moms are working full time."

And mothers today (and yes, dads too) also feel the need to pull out all the stops when it comes to a child's birthday party.

Wilmont said business is humming despite the slowdown in the overall economy.

"We've seen a 20 percent increase over last year's sales," she said. "People still like to have a nice birthday party for their child. Your child only turns 2, 3 or 5 once.

"It's like during the Great Depression when the movies went up. You still want to get out and do stuff with your families, so we haven't seen any demise in our sales at all."

Emily Shoaf spent Wednesday evening at Monkey Joe's celebrating daughter Eva's fourth birthday.

Her family celebrates birthdays away from home a good bit.

"It's less cleanup in my house," said the North Hall resident. "And it's just more fun for Eva. We kind of determine where we have our parties based on what she likes to do, and if it's within our budget."

For Caroline Gibson, the festivities at AlterEgo went well.

"The minute the girls walked in, the (employees) had them busy until it was time to go," Gibson said. "I did not have to do anything, except take pictures, and I have lots of pictures."

As well as a DVD of the performance. The only thing Gibson brought separately was the cake.

Gina Piper, co-owner of Gainesville AlterEgo, said she believes her business is helping to meet a consumer demand.

"The girls really love coming in and feeling like they are grown up," she said.

Another popular destination for families is Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, or INK, at 999 Chestnut St. in Gainesville.

INK is a hands-on children's museum where children can role play and learn through practical experiences about a range of occupations, from banking and dentistry to working in a grocery store.

Salaih Bush, the museum's birthday party coordinator, said she believes convenience plays a major factor in why families take their birthday celebrations on the road.

"They don't have to worry about trying to do everything at home ... and having the house all messy," she said.

The museum has one package, the "INKIE Celebration," where "pretty much everything is provided for," Bush said. "We give you the invitations, the thank-you cards, the decorations, the party favors, the pizza."

INK, which cut prices because of the recession, has seen steady business in all areas, including birthday parties, she said.

"We have been so blessed that people still want to come in and do the birthday parties," Bush said.

"I have people call in and say, ‘Give me the best price you can.' We'll accommodate and try our best to work with them, because we still want them to come in."

Big parties at extreme destinations aren't for every child, however.

Gibson said she has a 12-year-old who prefers low-key celebrations.

"We went to Lake Lanier Islands and took a few friends," she said.

"I can tell her birthday parties are just not going to be (large gatherings) anymore. They're more of getting a few friends together and spending the night."