Let’s set the record straight right off the bat: Vegas isn’t dubbed Sin City for no reason. Although it markets itself as a family-friendly vacation destination, Las Vegas is, at its core, an adult playground. In fact, most casino properties on the Las Vegas Strip would rather you leave the children at home given the legal gambling age is 21. Plus, Nevada laws prohibit minors from stepping onto gaming floors all around the clock.
But don’t fret if you’re planning to visit Vegas with kids. Discerning parents will find a ton of things to do in Las Vegas with children. Most of which are blended in with the adult pizzazz, glamor, and gambling. Whether your kiddos are into animals, roller coaster rides, theme parks, dandy pools, or anything in between, the Entertainment Capital of the World has something to offer.
To help you plan an unforgettable family vacation, we’ve done the legwork and put together the 10 top things for kids in Vegas.
1- Check out the Best Kids-Friendly Shows on the Las Vegas Strip
When it comes to keeping your kids entertained, the stage show scene on the Las Vegas Strip is simply unbeatable. And best of all, the majority of these shows welcome people of all ages. There’s definitely something for everyone here, including magic acts and show-stoppers that will knock the socks off your kids in Las Vegas.
At the Houdini’s Magic Shop, children can learn how to spin their own magic tricks, while Mat Franco, the world-famous magician, and the S9 America’s Got Talent winner, will wow them with his skill-based sleight of hand magic. Excalibur’s Tournament of Kings is another spot that hosts amazing kids-friendly shows, not to mention your little ones will love eating with their bare hands.
If that isn’t mesmerizing for your kids enough, take them to Treasure Island, where they will be left open-mouthed at the Mystère by Cirque du Soleil. If your child loves to boogie, MGM Grand by MGM Resorts International should be on your must-see list when visiting Las Vegas with kids, as children can break out their best dance moves and jiggle with the Jabbawockeez beats. And for a good dose of laughter, we think your kids will chuckle their lungs out at the Popovich Comedy Pet Theater or Blue Man Group.
Phantom, Mac King, LOVE, and Cirque du Soleil Kà are other big-stage productions that will appeal to the younger and older crowd alike. Of course, don’t miss the iconic Bellagio Fountain Display that runs everyday Monday to Friday from 3 pm to midnight, and weekends/holidays from noon to midnight. Those looking beyond the Strip should take their kids to enjoy the free nightly Viva Vision light show, part of Fremont Street Experience.
2- Adventuredome Theme Park
Where: Circus Circus Hotel & Casino @ 2880 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Let’s be frank, a few kids can dare say no to a visit to one of the world’s most popular theme parks. Nestled under the huge pink dome within Circus Circus Las Vegas property, the Adventuredome is a 5-acre indoor amusement park with everything that kids (and adults) can dream of. It offers stomach-churning rides for all ages, ranging from kid rides to roller coasters and thrill rides for mini daredevils.
To complement the rides, you’ll find an array of other attractions. These include a 4D movie adventure, mini-golf, arcade games, free circus acts, fair games, miniature bowling, bungee jumping, indoor rock climbing, roller skating, midway games, laser beam escape rooms, and much more. Entry to the theme park is free, but you’ll have to pay for every ride and attraction. Luckily, you can purchase an all-day pass so that you can have unfettered Las Vegas fun with your little one.
3- Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Where: Bellagio Hotel & Casino @ 3600 S Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109
The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is housed under a massive glass dome a few feet from the hotel’s exquisite and inviting lobby. With more than 120 botanists working hard on the masterpiece, this floral scene is something you won’t find elsewhere in Vegas. It incorporates beautiful trees, plants, flowers, and manmade structures, such as bridges, gazebos, and lighthouses.
The whole thing is a breath taking visual spectacle. Besides the seasonal scenes and the botanical cactus garden, this spot also brings transformative sights for holidays. It’s open 24/7 and provides plenty of photo-ops, making the botanical garden one of the best things to do when visiting Vegas with kids.
4- The Big Apple Roller Coaster
Where: New York-New York Hotel & Casino @ 3790 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
If the high-speed rides at Circus Circus’ Adventuredome don’t do the trick, head over to New York–New York Hotel & Casino. The hotel’s iconic loopy loop roller coaster will be awaiting them at the Coney Island Emporium. Lasting a whole four minutes, the exhilarating experience includes the world’s first roller coaster to incorporate a 180° heart-line twist-&-dive maneuver.
The Big Apple coaster thrill includes plenty of stunning views of the Strip, a 540° spiral, high-banked turns, and bewildering plunges & lags. Nowadays, kids can infuse VR into their roller coaster experience and immerse themselves in a monster and alien battle for the ages.
Teenagers in your tour will surely get a jolly at the Pole Position Raceway or atop the Stratosphere Tower. For the true thrill-seeking and ride-crazy kids in your family, this is one spot that you must visit on your next Vegas trip.
5- High Roller Observation Wheel
Where: LINQ Hotel + Experience @ 3545 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Rising a dizzying 550 feet high and spanning 520 feet in diameter, the High Roller Observation Wheel is another Vegas attraction that’ll certainly appeal to thrill-crazed kids. Nestled within The Linq Hotel Las Vegas, this observational wheel is one of the tallest in the world and provides the little riders with stunning 360-degree views of the Strip and the yonder beautiful desert landscapes.
The High Roller offers 28 see-through and air-conditioned glass cabins that can accommodate a maximum of 40 riders. You and your kiddos will board a pod that rotates at around a foot a second, giving you ample time to take in the amazing views of the city beneath. Above all, kids aged 6 and younger ride free!
6- The Eiffel Tower Experience
Where: Paris Las Vegas Hotel @ 3655 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
While the Eiffel Tower Experience is geared mostly towards romantic couples, it’s also a great attraction for the whole family. The half-scale recreation of the French iconic tower is packed with excitement and thrill.
The open-air observation deck atop the tower is a real treat, providing drop-gorgeous 360-degree views of Sin City. The experience itself kicks off with a glass elevator ride up a whopping 460 ft. above the Strip. This position gives your kids panoramic views of the Las Vegas valley, the Bellagio fountains, and the rest of the Las Vegas Strip. Even though it opens at 2 in the afternoon, we highly recommend night tours of the landmark, so that you can see how radiant and wonderful the city is under the lights.
7- Shark Reef Aquarium
Where: Mandalay Bay @ 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Let your kids come face-to-face with some of the most interesting sea creatures at Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Resort and Hotel. The only sea predator-driven exhibit and aquarium in America, the shark reef provides adults and kids alike with breathtaking tours under the ocean through some fourteen shark-infested habitats that include a fascinating shipwreck with a multi-angle view of these menacing creatures and a variety of fish species.
The experiential aquarium houses well over 2,000 aquatic creatures, including more than 100 sharks, rare golden crocodiles, jellyfish, piranhas, nearly extinct green sea turtles, giant ray mantis, and sawfish. The tour includes the Touch Pool, where kids can stick their hands into the water and feel horseshoe crabs, sharks, and rays.
They will also get to explore the duo of undersea tunnels and check out one of the largest exhibitions of exceptionally preserved sea creatures at the Sea Monsters Revealed. This is definitely one of the most family-friendly attractions in Las Vegas with kids.
8- Madame Tussauds Las Vegas Show
Where: The Venetian Hotel @ 3377 S Las Vegas Blvd Ste. 2001, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Tucked within the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas, Madame Tussauds is an excellent attraction for kids who love celebrities. Visit this spot and tour down the Grand Canal on an enchanting gondola ride with your kids. They’ll enjoy having fun while interacting and posing for conversation-worthy photos with uncannily lifelike wax figures of celebs.
The figures are housed in several themed rooms that range from Vegas and music to film and television icons like Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, George Clooney, and so on. A visit to Madame Tussauds is all about props, as well. Your kiddos will get to sing alongside look-alikes of The Rat Pack, throw a few blows at Muhammad Ali, and whatnot.
9- Discovery Children’s Museum in Downtown Las Vegas
Where: 360 Promenade Pl, Las Vegas, NV 89106
Fun things for kids in Vegas don’t end when you leave the Strip. The Discovery Children’s Museum is one of the coolest destinations for kids who love to explore art and culture, right in the middle of downtown’s action. The museum boasts 9 interactive, hands-on, and themed zones, including a series of sliding & climbing structures, 12 levels of interactive science fun, and The Summit, a tower that soars 70 feet high.
Don’t forget to explore the Featured Exhibitions Gallery at the museum, which includes a wide array of fun interactive activities and exhibits. With an ever-evolving roster of exhibits year-round, there’s something exciting for everyone. And once the kids are done learning and exploring new things, they can help construct a community in EcoCity or cool off their heels and relax at Water World.
10- Mirage Hotel Atrium, Aquarium, and Volcano
Where: The Mirage @ 3400 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
The Mirage boasts at least a trio of attractions appropriate for the entire family. The gorgeous aquarium, which is nestled right behind the lobby, is jam-packed with faux corals and roughly 450 tropical fish occupying around 20,000 gallons of saltwater. Immediately next to the hotel lobby is the amazing rainforest atrium, featuring beautiful flora, lofty palms, engrossing waterfalls, and lagoons – what more could kids ask for on a Vegas vacation?
The iconic Mirage volcano is situated right out in front of the property. This Las Vegas Strip landmark erupts every night between 8 and 9 pm, emitting fake smoke and spewing fire into the air with explosive sound effects. The background is filled with enchanting music by Zakir Hussain and Mickey Hart.
There you have it – 10 top Las Vegas attractions, experiences, and fun things for kids. Other notable family-friendly Las Vegas activities include the Springs Reserve, Pinball Hall, Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N., Hershey’s Chocolate World, Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat, Vegas indoor skydiving, Lion Habitat Ranch, Downtown Container Park, Neon Museum, and Flamingo Wildlife Habitat, just to mention a few more.