Las Vegas, a.k.a. Sin City, has earned its reputation as a playground for adults over the years. I remember the stares I got when I told folks my daughter and I stopped in Vegas for a few days on a Southwest road trip. Jokes on them because as it turns out, the city is quite family-friendly. Indeed, there’s a whole side of Las Vegas ready to cater to families. I’m going to let you in on all the fantastic things that Las Vegas has to offer families with kids in this comprehensive guide.
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Table of Contents
Where To Stay in Las Vegas With Kids
Mandalay Bay & Casino
The Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino is a top choice for families due to its variety of family-friendly amenities, including the Shark Reef Aquarium and the Mandalay Bay Beach with its wave pool and lazy river. It also offers spacious rooms and multiple dining options to cater to families with children.
Excalibur
The Medieval-themed Excalibur is a fun hotel for families. I mean, what kids wouldn’t love to live like royalty in a castle? There’s a lot to do to keep everyone entertained with an on-site arcade just for kids, several kid-friendly restaurants, and 4 heated pools, one with a water slide.
Circus Circus Hotel & Casino
Circus Circus is a popular choice among families due to its longstanding reputation for family-friendly entertainment. It is also one of the most budget-friendly hotel on the list. Circus Circus features the Adventuredome, an indoor amusement park with rides and attractions suitable for all ages. Sponge Bob Crazy Ride, a new attraction, recently opened in March 2024. There are also daily circus performances for guests of the hotel. The pool has a splash pad and water slide for kids to enjoy.
New York-New York Hotel & Casino
The New York-New York Hotel & Casino offers spacious and modern family suites, several kid-friendly dining options, and even in-room video games to keep your little ones entertained. There is a large outdoor swimming pool with private cabanas and a rooftop roller coaster.
Bellagio Hotel and Casino
The Bellagio Hotel and Casino might be a luxurious hotel but it is also very welcoming to families. They offer spacious suites, a stunning pool area with 5 beautiful pools, several restaurants, lush botanical gardens, and the famous Bellagio Fountains.
Family-Friendly Attractions in Las Vegas
Discovery Children’s Museum
Inspire your kids’ curiosity at the Discovery Children’s Museum, where they can engage in interactive exhibits covering science, art, and even a mini mock city to play grown-up.
Shark Reef Aquarium
Explore the underwater world at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino’s Shark Reef Aquarium. Kids can marvel at the diverse marine life, which includes sharks, stingrays, and turtles and much more.
Fun Dungeon
Fun Dungeon is a huge arcade place located inside Excalibur. With over 200 games including arcade, virtual reality, sports and redemption games, Fun Dungeon is a lot of fun for kids of all ages.
The Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo
The Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel is a tropical oasis. It features pink flamingos, exotic birds, koi fish, and turtles in a beautiful setting.
The Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is bursting with family-friendly sights and sounds. Make sure to catch the magical Bellagio Fountains show, where water dances in sync with music and lights. Performances take place daily every 30 minutes from 3pm to 8pm and every 15 minutes from 8pm until midnight. Don’t forget to pop inside the lobby of the Bellagio to explore its Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. Next, watch the eruption of the Mirage Volcano, where fire and water create a thrilling spectacle. And last, take a gondola ride at the Venetian, where you don’t need to fly to Italy when you can float through the Vegas canals.
Downtown Container Park
This vibrant place is filled with unique shops and eateries. But for your kiddos, the highlight is the playground made entirely of repurposed shipping containers. It’s the perfect spot to let the kids roam free while you enjoy a cup of coffee.
Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix
The Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix is an all-ages go kart venue. It features 4 go-kart & grand prix tracks for kids & adults, plus an arcade, food, and amusement rides.
Vegas Indoor Skydiving
Who needs to jump off a plane when you can experience the thrill of skydiving indoors! At Vegas Indoor Skydiving, defy gravity while you will float on air in a vertical wind tunnel. It’s a thrilling experience without the fear of falling.
Dino Safari
Dino Safari is a walk-through experience that is educational and fun. On this adventure, you will feel the thrill of standing next to giant moving dinosaurs from all over the world on an expedition great for the whole family.
Amusement Parks & Rides
The Big Apple Roller Coaster
The Big Apple Roller Coaster at New York-New York Hotel & Casino is a thrilling experience that will have your little daredevils scream with delight as the coaster soar and dive over the bright light of the Vegas Strip.
Adventuredome
Located inside Circus Circus, the Adventuredome Theme Park is an indoor amusement park that offers thrill rides, roller coasters, and 4D motion theaters for a day of excitement for the whole family rain or shine.
SpongeBob’s Crazy Carnival Ride: Las Vegas Newest Ride For Kids
Also located inside Circus Circus, this new ride just opened in March 2024. It is an interactive dark side ride featuring 15 scenes, 6 animatronics, video projection, and interactive targets.
Las Vegas High Roller Wheel
Take your family’s adventure to new heights with a ride on the Las Vegas High Roller Wheel at the LINQ. This towering Ferris wheel is 550-ft tall is a sight to behold and offers breathtaking views of the city skyline
Outdoor Adventures In And Around Las Vegas Perfect for Kids
To explore beyond the bright lights of the Vegas Strip, buckle up for these kid-friendly out-of-this-world outdoor day trips.
Seven Magic Mountains Near Las Vegas
The Seven Magic Mountains is an art installation featuring towering, neon-painted rocks in the desert. They make for a fantastic backdrop for some fun family photos. Pro advice: don’t let your kids wander off the designated trails as the area is known to have rattlesnakes.
Springs Preserve
Located a few miles off the Strip, Springs Preserve spans over 180 acres of botanical gardens, walking trails, wildlife habitats, museums, and even a train ride for kids to explore and enjoy. This educational oasis is the perfect opportunity to learn about Las Vegas’ rich natural and cultural history.
Valley of Fire: a Kids’ Outdoor Playground near Las Vegas
About an hour outside of Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park offers spectacular desert landscapes. The park is home to 4,000-year-old petroglyphs, a slot canyon and scenic red rock landscapes. Families can enjoy several hiking trails, and kids will love climbing over the many rock formations.
Hoover Dam
Take a day trip to the impressive Hoover Dam, where your curious kiddos can marvel at this man-made engineering wonder. Here you will learn about the dam’s history, take a guided tour, and enjoy the breathtaking views of Lake Mead, America’s largest reservoir.
Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend
A jewel of the Navajo Nation, Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona are jaw-dropping natural wonders. On your day trip, you will travel through the narrow, swirling walls of Antelope Canyon (accessible exclusively with a Navajo guide) and then head to Horseshoe Bend to behold the mighty Colorado River carving through the majestic red rocks.
Grand Canyon is the Ultimate Day Trip From Las Vegas
Grand Canyon is a major bucket list item and is within reach on a day trip from Las Vegas. Your family will be in awe at the views of this natural gem. Whether you choose to hike or drive on a self-guided tour along the South Rim, take a helicopter ride, whitewater raft on the Colorado River, or visit Grand Canyon West and do the Skywalk, there is no shortage of experiences to make lifetime memories.
Family-Friendly Entertainment and Shows
Jabbawockeez
The Jabbawockeez “Timeless” show at the MGM Grand is one the best shows to attend when visiting Las Vegas with kids. it features modern dance moves and choreography while still incorporating comedy and crowd interaction.
Is the “Blue Man Group” Show in Las Vegas Kid-Friendly?
The Blue Man Group show at the Luxor blends music, comedy and art together. Your family will get a good laugh at the colorful performers and their stunts.
Cirque du Soleil
A trip to Las Vegas wouldn’t be complete without a Cirque du Soleil show. “Mystere” by Cirque du Soleil is probably the most kid-friendly entertaining show in Las Vegas. Located at Treasure Island, kid love the show for its stunning acrobatics and stunts.
Tournament of Kings
The Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur is a medieval-themed jousting show that will transport your family back in time. You will feast on a delicious meal with your fingers (no utensils allowed!) while cheering for your favorite knight.
Mermaid Show at Silverton Casino
The Mermaid Show at Silverton Casino will delight your kids in this underwater fantasy. Real-life mermaids gracefully swim a 117,000-gallon aquarium, interacting with a variety of sea creatures and bringing the magic of the ocean to life. Bonus: it is FREE!
Dining Options in Las Vegas for Families
Bacchanal Buffet: One of The Best Las Vegas Buffet For Kids
Who doesn’t love a good buffet? Head over to Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace and treat your family to a feast fit for royalty. With over 250 yummy dishes to choose from, even the pickiest eaters in your crew are sure to find something to eat. Just make sure to come hungry!
Hello Kitty Cafe
All Hello Kitty fans should make a pit stop at Hello Kitty Cafe. There are 2 locations in Las Vegas, one inside Park MGM and the other at Fashion Show Mall. They both serve some adorable and delicious treats such as cookies, cakes, donuts, handmade hot and iced drinks, along with a selection of Hello Kitty Cafe merchandise. There is a sweet seating area to enjoy the experience.
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