Las Vegas has a reputation for being a playground for adults, but it can also be a fun destination for a family vacation if you know where to go.
My husband is from Las Vegas so we regularly visit as a family and are sharing all the fun things to do in Las Vegas with kids!
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13 Things to Do in Las Vegas With Kids
Table of Contents
- Ride the Big Apple Roller Coaster
- Watch the Bellagio Water Fountain Show
- See the Sharks at Mandalay Bay
- Watch the Free Atlantis Show at Caesar’s Palace
- Check Out the Fremont Street Experience
- Visit the Neon Museum
- Play Carnival Games at Circus Circus
- Visit the Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel
- Take a Free Tour of the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory
- Go Ice Skating at the Cosmopolitan Hotel
- Operate Machinery at Dig This Las Vegas
- Visit the Arte Museum
- Watch a Live Family-Friendly Show
Ride the Big Apple Roller Coaster
One of the best things to do in Las Vegas with kids is to ride the Big Apple Roller Coaster at the New York New York Casino & Hotel.
The Big Apple Coaster is the world’s first roller coaster to feature a 180-degree twist and dive.
The coaster is open weekdays from 11 am-11 pm, and weekends from 10:30 am-midnight.
Tickets are a little pricey, but the best option is to purchase a City Pass that gives you access to this attraction and many others for one low price.
Be sure to stop and check out the Big Apple Arcade while you’re there too!
It’s fun to experience the roller coaster both during the day and at night. My kids actually prefer riding it at night when you can see the glow of the neon lights from up above.
Watch the Bellagio Water Fountain Show
Be sure to catch the iconic water fountain show at the Bellagio Hotel, it’s one of the best free shows in Vegas.
This mesmerizing show choreographs dancing water with music and lights.
Each show is unique with a variety of music from classical to show tunes, and even pop favorites.
The show runs weekdays every half hour from 3-8 pm and every 15 minutes from 8 pm-midnight.
On weekends, the show runs every half hour from 12 pm-8 pm and every 15 minutes after that until midnight.
See the Sharks at Mandalay Bay
The Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is great for kids and is a perfect way to escape the heat and cool off.
The aquarium is home to over 2,000 animals, including endangered green sea turtles and over 100 sharks!
The main tank is 1.3 million gallons and is one of the largest in the US.
A variety of animal encounters are available for an additional charge, including diving with sharks and feeding stingrays.
Watch the Free Atlantis Show at Caesar’s Palace
The Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace are high-end luxury stores, and not necessarily kid-friendly.
However, we love just walking along the shops and imagining that we’re strolling along the cobblestone streets of ancient Rome.
While you’re at Caesar’s Palace, be sure to catch the show, Fall of Atlantis. The show is free and the story is set in the kingdom of Atlantis.
Although the storyline is a little hard to follow, the show involves talking statues and special effects with water and fire that will keep your kids captivated.
The show runs every hour on the hour starting at 11 am.
There is also a large aquarium with over 300 saltwater fish. Your kids will love spotting Nemo and having a contest to see who can find the most unique fish!
Check Out the Fremont Street Experience
The Fremont Street Experience is an entertainment district in the historic part of downtown Las Vegas. It is a pedestrian-only street with plenty of entertainment.
The main attraction is Viva Vision, the world’s largest canopy video screen.
The digital screen is 1,375 feet long and 90 feet wide.
Every hour on the hour from 6 pm to 2 am they do a light show that is synced to music. It is one of the best free shows in Las Vegas!
You can even fly high above Fremont Street on the SlotZilla Zip Line!
There is always so much going on at Fremont Street with street performers, live music, restaurants, and shops.
It can be a bit of sensory overload for younger kids, so this might be something better geared for older kids.
Visit the Neon Museum
The Neon Museum is such a unique family-friendly place to visit in Las Vegas.
It is a boneyard for retired neon signs from casinos and businesses in Las Vegas.
Visitors will take a guided tour to learn the history and interesting stories about where each sign came from.
A few notable signs include The Stardust. The Stardust Hotel & Casino was built during the era of nuclear atomic testing tourism.
They used to do testing above ground in the desert and it was popular to hold atomic testing watch parties.
When The Stardust was built, this sign was put on massive pylons and it was the tallest neon sign in the world. The glow could be seen for 3 miles!
Betty Willis is the neon sign artist who created the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign. She also designed this Moulin Rouge sign and modeled it after her own handwriting.
The Chief Hotel Court opened in 1939 and its sign is the oldest working sign in the boneyard.
This sign was from the Steiner Dry Cleaners where Liberaci (the highest paid entertainer in the world at one time) was a regular customer.
He performed with a cape that had 4,000 rhinestones and each one had to be removed before being dry cleaned and then sewn back on. At least he tipped well and sent lots of customers their way!
This genie lamp is from the old Aladdin Hotel & Casino where Elvis Presley and Priscilla were married. The hotel has now become Planet Hollywood, but the iconic lamp can still be seen here.
It really is a fascinating tour and it’s so cool to see the signs up close. Just be sure to make reservations in advance as tickets often sell out.
They have tours during the day, but the lights are only turned on for the evening and night tours. I would recommend going right before sunset.
The guided tour is about 45 minutes long and DSLR cameras are not allowed, only cell phones.
The museum is located off the strip. If you’re looking for more things to do off the strip, be sure to check out our guide, Best Things to Do Off the Las Vegas Strip.
Play Carnival Games at Circus Circus
The Adventure Dome is a 5-acre indoor amusement park that has 25 rides and attractions.
You can purchase an all-day pass, or pay for each ride individually.
While you’re there, don’t miss the free circus acts that are held every hour from 1:30-8:30 pm Monday-Thursday. On the weekends, the shows run every hour from 11:30 am-11:30 pm.
Be sure to also try your luck at the game booths at the Carnival Midway, although many of the games are designed so that it’s impossible to win.
However, the best way to win a stuffed animal is for your whole family to compete in the racing games where someone is guaranteed to win.
Visit the Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel
Visit the free flamingo wildlife habitat at the Flamingo Hotel.
The habitat consists of 15 acres of exotic birds, fish, turtles, and the iconic Flamingo Island.
As you enter the habitat you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported off the strip.
You’ll find a scenic oasis with waterfalls, streams, towering palm trees, and thick vegetation.
*Related Post: for a breath of fresh air, escape the crowds on the strip and head to Red Rock Canyon!
Take a Free Tour of the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory
Ethel M. Chocolates was born here in the desert over 40 years ago by Forrest Mars, the creator of M&M’s and Milk Way bars.
His world-famous chocolates were named after his mother, Ethel Mars.
Today, visitors can take a free tour of the factory where you can watch the chocolate makers hard at work behind the windows.
Your kids will find it fascinating to watch the process of how the chocolates are made and you’ll even get a free chocolate sample.
You’ll also find a cactus botanic garden in front of the factory.
During the holidays, the cactus are wrapped with over a million lights as the garden is transformed into a holiday wonderland.
Go Ice Skating at the Cosmopolitan Hotel
Every winter, the Boulevard Pool at the Cosmopolitan Hotel is transformed into an ice skating rink.
You can reserve fire pits to roast s’mores and it has one of the best views on the strip!
The Cosmopolitan Ice Rink was voted one of the “10 Best Ice Skating Rinks in North America” by USA Today. The cost of admission includes skate rentals and is good for the entire day. Reservations are not required.
While you’re at the Cosmopolitan, check out some of the other cool things to see and do, like the famed Chandelier Bar.
The Chandelier Bar is a cool three-story bar in the middle of the hotel. It is surrounded by curtains of beads and lights so it looks like the bar is at the center of a giant chandelier.
Obviously, kids can’t go inside the bar but it is still pretty cool to see.
If you are planning a trip back to Vegas sans kids, The Cosmopolitan has some cool hidden speakeasies that you’ll have to check out.
The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails is a swanky speakeasy that is hidden inside an actual barbershop.
Ghost Donkey is a secret bar that is hidden behind an unassuming door in the back of the Block 16 Food Court.
Just look for the door with a picture of a donkey on it and you can peek inside.
There is also an apres ski-themed speakeasy on the 2nd floor of the Chelsea Tower called The Ski Lodge.
But when it comes to the kids, they’ll love getting cookies from the famed Milk Bar or an over-the-top milkshake from Holsteins.
You can also grab a delicious donut from District: Donuts, Sliders, & Brews (one of our favorite places to eat in New Orleans).
Or try a signature Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich from Hattie B’s (one of our favorite places to eat in Nashville!)
If you are looking for more restaurant recommendations, see our guide for the Best Places to Eat in Las Vegas.
Operate Machinery at Dig This Las Vegas
One of the most unique things to do in Las Vegas with kids is to visit Dig This, a heavy-equipment playground. Dig This was awarded TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award in 2023 and my boys give it two thumbs up!
At Dig This, kids as young as 8 years old will be able to operate and drive heavy equipment. After learning the basics of operating the machines, they’ll be given different challenges like stacking tires and moving dirt from one pile to another.
The instructor is on the field the entire time communicating through a headset. The parents also have a headset so they can listen too. If there is ever a problem, the instructor can manually disable the machine. The whole experience was safe and so much fun!
There are several different machines to drive, click the link for a list of available experiences and machinery to choose from.
My boys, ages 12 and 15, did the Skid Steere Track Loader Experience and were in heaven. Kids as young as 2 years old can even dig holes with a stationary 1-ton excavator at the Kids Dig area.
Visit the Arte Museum
The Arte Museum is a newer addition to the Las Vegas Strip. It opened in November 2023 adjacent to the Cosmopolitan Hotel.
This museum is an immersive art experience with 15 unique exhibits. We spent about an hour and a half at the museum and thought that it was very well done.
Tickets are a little pricey, however, discounted early-bird and twilight tickets are available. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
*Related post: If you’re looking for a fun day trip, Death Valley National Park is located only 2 hours from Las Vegas!
Watch a Live Family-Friendly Show
There are a wide variety of family-friendly shows available and catching a show is one of the best things to do in Las Vegas with kids.
We recently went to Vinny Grosso’s “Totally Mental” show with John Rotellini and loved it! It was hosted at a smaller venue off the strip, but the tickets were cheap on Groupon and his mental tricks blew my kids’ minds!
He was hilarious and there were a lot of opportunities for audience participation. My boys loved it and it was a great family-friendly show!
The Sphere is also one of the best and newest venues to watch a live performance or be captivated by an immersive digital show using state-of-the-art technology.
The Las Vegas shows are constantly changing and rotating, click the link for tickets to the latest Vegas shows.
Other Fun Things to Do in Las Vegas With Kids
- Tournament of the Kings: Enjoy a medieval dinner and a show at Tournament of the Kings inside The Excalibur Hotel & Casino.
- Sightseeing: Take the Las Vegas Hop-on and Hop-off bus tour or a Night Open Top Bus Tour to see the sights of Vegas.
- Marvel Avengers Station: Your little super heroes will love training to become an Avenger at the Marvel Avengers Station inside Treasure Island Hotel & Casino.
- Go City Pass: Purchase a City Pass for discounted tickets to many of Vegas’ top attractions.
- Gondola ride at the Venetian: You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the canals of Venice you take a gondola ride through the property of The Venitian. You can also purchase a combo ticket and get admission to Madame Tussauds as well.
- Stratosphere: For thrill-seekers, head to the Stratosphere and try the Sky Jump, Insanity, or the Big Shot! You can also enjoy dinner with a view at the Top of the World restaurant.
- High Roller Observation Wheel: The Linq is home to the High Roller Observation Wheel which offers great views of the strip and is fun for all ages!
*If you’re driving from Phoenix to Las Vegas, be sure to make a pit stop in Kingman and check out our guide, 7 Unique Things to Do in Kingman AZ! And for the best day trip, be sure to visit Valley of Fire State Park!
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Best Places to Stay in Las Vegas With Kids
The Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
The Paris Hotel & Casino is centrally located right on the strip.
You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Paris as the rooms are classically decorated with luxurious European touches.
The resort also has miniature replicas of Paris’ top attractions, including the Arc de Triomphe, the Paris Opera House, the Louvre, and Hotel de Ville.
The miniature Eiffel Tower is the crowning jewel and you can even swim in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower at their rooftop pool.
The Marriott Grand Chateau
We love staying at Marriotts, we are always happy with the accommodations and service.
We particularly like staying at The Grand Chateau in Las Vegas with kids because it is located right on the strip, but it’s not a casino.
You will not need to walk through a smoke-filled casino every time you enter or exit the hotel, which is a bonus when you’re traveling with kids.
The rooms have great views of the strip or the Spring Mountains.
They don’t have waterslides like many of the resorts, but they do have a rooftop pool and hot tub with views of the strip.
The Golden Nugget
The highlight of The Golden Nugget is that they have a 3 story water slide that goes right through a 200,000 gallon shark tank and aquarium!
It really is a unique experience and is the only waterslide like it in Las Vegas.
The hotel is located off the strip, but it is right by the Fremont Street Experience, as well as the Container Park, and the Mob Museum.
Lake Las Vegas Resort
If you’re looking to stay off the strip, Lake Las Vegas is a resort-style master-planned community in Henderson, about 25 minutes from the strip.
At the center of the community is a 320-acre man-made lake, it’s a true oasis in the desert.
There are a few different hotel options at Lake Las Vegas, including the Westin, Hilton, and MonteLago Village Resort.
We have stayed at The Westin a few times and the kids always love hanging out at the pools and going down the waterslide.
The rooms could use a refresh, but overall the hotel and grounds are nice.
They have on-site dining options with outdoor patio seating and fire pits overlooking the lake.
They also have a small sandy beach and paddleboards or kayaks available to rent.
The Hilton Hotel is located by Lake Las Vegas Water Sports where they have a wakeboarding cable park and a seasonal inflatable obstacle course.
Here are a few more of the best places to stay in Las Vegas with kids:
- Mandalay Bay: Not only does Mandalay Bay have an impressive aquarium, but their lazy river and wave pool are a favorite as well.
- The Orleans: With multiple pools, an arcade, and a movie theater, there is plenty at this hotel to keep your kids busy.
- The Mirage: Escape to a tropical oasis with lush greenery, waterfalls, and lagoons.
- MGM Grand: You won’t get bored with five different pools to swim in, complete with waterfalls, grottos, and a river.
Hopefully, this guide will help as you plan the best things to do in Las Vegas with kids!
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Oh my what a list!! We’ve been to Vegas a few times without kids and the only thing we did off the strip was kayaking and it was AMAZING!! Last month we spent a good half a day with the kids there and were able to see a few things on your list =)
Thanks Amanda! Your Thanksgiving road trip looked so fun! Glad you guys enjoyed some of the more kid friendly attractions in Vegas!
Thank you one more time!
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