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 I’m sharing all the fun things to do in Las Vegas with kids!
*Updated March 2025
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The Best Things to Do on the Las Vegas Strip 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
- Check Out the Rides at Circus Circus
- Visit the Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel
- Go Ice Skating at the Cosmopolitan Hotel
- Visit the Arte Museum
- Take a Photo at the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign
- 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 until midnight.
On weekends, the show runs every half hour from 12 pm to 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 the perfect way to escape the summer heat.
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 is a collection of high-end luxury stores that are 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. This pedestrian-only street is filled 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 on the canopy 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.
Fremont Street is located a little north of the strip. If you are looking for more things to do off the strip, be sure to check out our guide, 13 Things to Do Off the Las Vegas Strip With Kids.
Check Out the Rides at Circus Circus
The Adventure Dome at Circus Circus 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!
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 while enjoying 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 of an actual barbershop.
Ghost Donkey is a secret bar 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.
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!
Take a Photo at the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign
The famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign was built on the south end of the strip in 1958 and has been an iconic landmark ever since.
It has been featured in countless movies, commercials, and tourist photos. It was even placed on the Register of Historic Places in 2009.
No trip to Las Vegas is complete without a family photo in front of this iconic sign!
While you’re in the area, walk over and snap a photo of the Little Church of the West as well.
This cute little wedding chapel has been open since 1943 and is the chosen venue for about 6,000 weddings each year!
Some of the most famous couples who have gotten married here include Cindy Crawford & Richard Gere, Angelina Jolie & Billy Bob Thornton. Judy Garland and Zsa Zsa Gabor both got married here as well.
Watch a Live Family-Friendly Show
There are a wide variety of family-friendly shows available that your kids will love!
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 superheroes 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 as 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!
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 their 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.
Here are a few more of the best places to stay in Las Vegas with kids:
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- Mandalay Bay: Not only does Mandalay Bay have an impressive aquarium, but its lazy river and wave pool are a favorite as well.
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- The Orleans: With multiple pools, an arcade, and a movie theater, there is plenty at this hotel to keep your kids busy.
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- The Mirage: Escape to a tropical oasis with lush greenery, waterfalls, and lagoons.
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- 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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