18 Things to Do in Las Vegas with Kids

Kid-friendly Shows in Las Vegas
Las Vegas isn’t called the Entertainment Capital of the World for no reason. There’s a show for everyone, including ones to wow the kiddos. Cheer on your knight and eat with your hands at Excalibur’s Tournament of Kings. Watch their eyes widen as they take in all the sights at Mystère by Cirque du Soleil at Treasure Island. Boogie in the aisles with the slick moves of the Jabbawockeez at MGM Grand. The kids (and adults) won’t believe their eyes with the magic of America’s Got Talent winner, Mat Franco. Whichever show you choose, the kids will always remember.

Water Parks in Las Vegas
If your kids are surging with energy, nothing helps so well as a day at a water park. Both Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas and Cowabunga Bay in Henderson have wave pools, thrilling slides, and even low-key water attractions for little kids.

Hershey's Chocolate World
Head over to New York-New York for Hershey’s Chocolate World. This west coast flagship store sells more than 800 candy and chocolate confections by Hershey brands, and you can even customize your own chocolate bars! Don’t miss the huge milk chocolate Statue of Liberty. The kids can even star in their own Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup TV ad through one of the store’s many interactive experiences.

Fun Dungeon at Excalibur
Don’t be afraid — the Fun Dungeon at Excalibur is an arcade for kids of all ages. This arcade is open 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily and is the place to play over 200 games including carnival classics, vintage and new video games, games for little kids, and the World’s Biggest Pacman.

Las Vegas High Roller Observation Wheel
Take a break from the bustling crowds by taking the family on a ride on the High Roller Observation Wheel, a huge Ferris wheel at The LINQ Promenade + Experience in the heart of the Vegas Strip. At 550-feet high and 520 feet in diameter, the High Roller has 28 transparent (and air-conditioned) pods that can hold up to 40 people. The experience takes about an hour in total and kids six years old and younger ride free! You can even book special events or take advantage of happy hour specials.

For the Animal Lovers
Bring the kids to something quintessentially Las Vegas — Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage. Make friends with the bottlenose dolphins, white tigers, and leopards in gorgeous green space and find out more about special tours. For an off The Strip animal adventure in Henderson, check out the Lion Habitat Ranch, an African lion sanctuary offering trainer tours, a painting giraffe, and special events.

M&M's World
Take a detour to M&M’s World in the Showcase Mall. The store is 28,000 square feet of candy-coated chocolate goodness. Customize your own M&M’s using the Personal Printer to include unique messages and a variety of images — including Las Vegas-themed ones — and 16 different colors. NASCAR fans can also take a selfie with a replica of Kyle Busch’s 18 M&M’s race car.

Thrill Rides at The STRAT Hotel, Casino and Skypod
Get the whole family’s adrenaline pumping with four of the world’s highest rides, 100 stories above the ground. Free fall 855 feet at 40 miles per hour on the SkyJump. Lose your voice as the X-Scream teeters 27 feet over the edge of the building at 33 miles per hour. Get shot sky high and try to enjoy spectacular views of the Las Vegas Valley on the Big Shot. If you’re haven’t had enough, take some ’Gs – three to be exact – as Insanity spins you 900 feet in the air. After all this adventure, a nap may be in order. 

Shark Reef Aquarium
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay offers awe-inspiring tours under the sea through 14 shark habitats including a shipwreck with 360-degree views of sharks and other fish. Experiential attractions include the Touch Pool where you can dip your fingers into the water and touch rays, sharks, or horseshoe crabs to name a few of the oceanic creatures that rotate into this exhibit.

Adventuredome at Circus Circus
Head to the Circus Circus big top and make your way to Adventuredome, an amusement park with rides and attractions for kids, daredevils, and kid daredevils! Attractions include mini-golf, mini-bowling, indoor rock climbing and bungee jumping, laser beam escape rooms, roller skating, midway games, arcades, as well as roller coasters and rides for any adventure level.

Marvel’s Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.
The kids will finally believe that you ARE a superhero when you bring them to this Treasure Island exhibit. Your mission: delve into the history and science of the world’s greatest heroes; assemble case files on Thor, Captain America, Iron Man and The Hulk; and move on to become qualified members of the Avengers’ S.T.A.T.I.O.N. 

Free Attractions on The Strip
You’ll find fun, free things to see while walking The Strip with the family. With shows throughout the afternoon and evening, the Fountains of Bellagio create a choreographed spectacle of water, music, and light. Step inside the Bellagio and check out the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens with its specially designed holiday and seasonal floral displays. At night, get a good spot to watch the Mirage Volcano which erupts with thunderous explosions and riveting music by the Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart and Indian tabla percussionist Zakir Hussain.

Discovery Children’s Museum
Let kids be kids – while they learn – at the coolest museum in town. Located Downtown, the nine-themed, hands-on, interactive zones include The Summit, a 70-foot tower with 12 levels of science fun and climbing/sliding structures. Cool off at Water World or help build a community in EcoCity. Make sure to check out the Featured Exhibitions Gallery for more interactive fun. With rotating exhibits throughout the year, there are always new experiences no matter when you visit. 

The Big Apple Roller Coaster
Fittingly located at New York-New York, The Big Apple Roller coaster is a loopty loop coaster and the first in the world to include a 180-degree “heartline” twist and dive. Now you can even add virtual reality to your experience and immerse yourself in an alien and monster battle for the ages. For the true thrill-seekers and coaster-crazed kids in your family, this is one literal (and virtual) ride you must take!

The Downtown Container Park
Venture to the Fremont East area of Downtown and look for the giant metal praying mantis. Here you’ll find a hub of fun and food for the whole family. Kids getting hangry? Grab a hot dog at Cheffini’s Hot Dogs or a slice at Pizza Zazza while the big kids get an adult beverage at Oak & Ivy. Treat the whole fam with a gelato sensation at Waffleato, and then let the kids burn off the sugar high in The Treehouse playground and 33-foot slide.

Kid-friendly Restaurants in Las Vegas
Finding great kid-friendly places to eat in Las Vegas is as simple as finding the best option for your group. Many buffets offer no or low-cost meals for children, and everyone can sample different dishes until bellies are full. Another fun place to get your grub on is the always popular Rainforest Café, situated right on the Strip. At The Park, between New York-New York and Park MGM, there is the world-famous roadside burger joint Shake Shack for burgers, dogs and fries. And for sweet treats and coffee drinks, hit the screaming pink pop-up, Hello Kitty Café. Trust us, you can’t miss it.

Springs Preserve
You’ve hit the family adventure goldmine with the Springs Preserve. Located a few miles off-Strip, kids will fall in love with the 180-acres of botanical gardens, walking trails, wildlife habitats, museums and much more. Home to the largest collection of Mojave Desert cacti and plants, a variety of wetland bird species, and desert creatures, a seasonal butterfly pavilion, and rotating exhibits, you’ll get a look into the vibrant history of how Las Vegas came to be the phenomenal city it is today.