20 Fun Things to Do in Las Vegas with Kids - Play Outside Guide (2024)

These 20 fun, family-friendly things to do in Las Vegas are teen approved!

While best known for its extravagant hotels and nightlife, Las Vegas is home to several family-friendly attractions and shows that are fun for all ages. Whether you catch a Cirque du Soleil performance at the the largest hotel building in the world (MGM Grand), ride the tallest observation wheel in North America (High Roller), or watch the largest LED screen in the world (The Sphere) transform from a basketball to an emoji, kids young and old (that’s you, parents) will be amazed! And don’t forget the Big Apple Roller Coaster, Adventuredome (America’s largest indoor theme park), and adrenaline-inducing rides at The Strat. Our round-up of family fun also includes classic FREE Vegas experiences like the famous Bellagio Fountains, Mirage Volcano, and Fremont Street Experience.

Here’s your guide to an unforgettable family vacation to Las Vegas, Nevada, the Entertainment Capital of the World!

Sights and Attractions on The Las Vegas Strip

1. High Roller Observation Wheel and LINQ Promenade

Kickstart your Vegas vacay with a bird’s eye view aboard the High Roller Observation Wheel. Towering 550 feet high over The Strip, this giant wheel offers panoramic vistas of the city’s dazzling skyline – plus a fantastic view of The Sphere. Pods are fully enclosed, so you can walk around and enjoy the view from all angles! They’re also air conditioned for your comfort in hot weather. One ride = One revolution = 30 minutes. We recommend going for sunset when the lights come on.

Afterward, stroll through the LINQ Promenade for awesome shopping, dining, and entertainment. Kids will love the I Love Sugar candy store, Museum of Selfies, Fly LINQ Zipline (min height 3’4″/101.6 cm, min weight 60 lbs/27.2 kg), and famous sundaes at the Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop. If you don’t want candy and ice cream for dinner, we recommend Jaburritos Sushi Burritos & Bowls. It’s healthy, delicious, and reasonably priced for The Strip (about $20/item).

Disclosure: We were hosted by the High Roller Observation Wheel, but all words and opinions are my own.

2. Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

Discover an underwater wonderland at the Shark Reef Aquarium. Encounter fascinating marine life from around the globe (2,000 sea animals!) from jellyfish to sea turtles, and interact with stingrays and sharks (interactive experiences are extra charge). Walking through the tunnel through the aquarium is magical! This Association of Zoos & Aquariums accredited facility provides an educational and awe-inspiring experience for the whole family.

3. Watch a Cirque du Soleil Show

Prepare to be dazzled by the breathtaking acrobatics and mesmerizing performances of Cirque du Soleil! Mystère at Treasure Island is the longest running Cirque show (since December 1993!). This whimsical, colorful show is perfect for kids. Ka at MGM Grand and The Beatles LOVE at The Mirage (until July 2024) are also fantastic and appropriate for families (I’ve seen all 3). As usual, you can expect some humor to break up the visually stunning, gravity defying acts. Shows are 90 minutes long with no intermission, at 7 pm and 9:30 pm.

4. More family-friendly shows in Las Vegas

Treat your family to an unforgettable night of entertainment with a variety of family-friendly shows, including America’s Got Talent Presenting Super Stars Live (past winners perform in live shows), Shin Lim‘s incredible magic, the colorful spectacle of Blue Man Group, and the electrifying dance moves of Jabbawockeez.

Save on tickets by purchasing from the Tix4Tonight / Tix4Vegas kiosks on The Strip. You can get up to 40% off (10-30% off usually) same day tickets starting at 10:30 am.

5. Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum & Marvel Universe 4D Movie

Rub shoulders with your favorite celebrities at Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum at The Venetian. From Miley Cyrus and Michael Jackson, to Brad Pitt and Halle Berry, the lifelike wax figures offer photo opportunities galore. Don’t miss the immersive 4D Marvel Universe Movie (included with admission) for an extra dose of excitement! Allow about an hour to see all 200 wax figures and the movie.

Although the Streetmosphere shows in The Venetian ended in late 2023, you can see still see gondoliers singing to their passengers, and get some great photos at the hotel and Grand Canal Shoppes. Don’t miss the LOVE sculpture at Grand Canal Shoppes!

6. Bellagio Fountains + Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

Witness the spectacular dance of water and light at the Bellagio Fountains, a Las Vegas spectacle renowned worldwide. Up to 1,000 fountains shoot up to 460 feet high in time to music! Next, step into the tranquil oasis of the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, where seasonal displays of flowers and foliage captivate visitors year-round. Find the fountains in front of The Bellagio Hotel. Both of these fantastic attractions are FREE to visit!

Bellagio Fountain Schedule
– Monday – Friday: Every30 minutes from3:00 PM to 7:30 PM; Every 15 minutes from 8:00 PM to midnight
– Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: Every30 minutes from 12:00 PM to 7:30 PM; Every 15 minutes from 8:00 PM to midnight
Note that the show is cancelled for high winds.

7. Mirage Volcano

Feel the heat of pyrotechnics as the Mirage Volcano erupts in a dramatic display of fire and music. This iconic attraction is FREE!

The Mirage Volcano erupts daily at 8pm,9pm,10pmand11pm at The Mirage Hotel.

8. Stranger Things Store, M&M’s Store, Coca Cola Store

Visit 3 cool stores on the same block, across from New York New York Hotel!

Fans of the hit Netflix series can immerse themselves in all things Hawkins at the Stranger Things Store. With themed merchandise and ample photo opps, this store is a must-visit for fans of the supernatural saga.

The M&M’s Store has lots of photo opps and M&M’s treats and merch, plus kiosks where you can design your own M&M’s. If you’re interested in designing custom M&M’s, order them from the comfort of your own home. We waited 20 minutes in line to learn that the smallest package was $20 US, and it would take 45 minutes for them to be printed. There are better ways to spend your vacation!

Next, get a soda flight or signature beverage at the Coca Cola Store! They also have some cool Coca Cola / Las Vegas souvenirs.

Bonus: Check out the chocolate Statue of Liberty at Hershey’s Chocolate World at New York New York across the street!

9. Fall of Atlantis Show at Caesars Forum Shops

Journey to the mythical world of Atlantis and marvel at larger-than-life 9-foot tall animatronic figures (including a dragon!), special effects, and pyrotechnics that bring this legendary tale to life. On the hour every hour from 12 pm to 8 pm, Thursday to Monday.

Sweet Snack Spot: Visit the world’s first cookie shot vending machine at Dominique Ansel, Caesars Palace. A robot will pour the vanilla milk in the chocolate coated cookie shot and serve it to you!

10. Watch The Sphere (+ The Sphere Experience / Postcard from Earth Review)

The Sphere is the word’s largest high def screen, displaying graphics at 18 k resolution. You can’t miss the 366′ (112 m) high illuminated sphere as you explore The Strip. Watch it turn from a lava lamp to a basketball; a smiling, winking emoji; and more. It’s mesmerizing to watch, especially from The High Roller Observation Wheel or your hotel (request a room on a higher floor with a view – I sat by the window and watched The Sphere every night!).

When we asked Tix4Tonight about tickets to The Sphere Experience, the friendly staffer said “It’s too expensive! How about Shin Lim? He’s awesome and I can get you tickets for a real good price!” I now wonder if we should’ve taken his advice. While The Sphere Experience was kinda cool, I’m not sure it was $393 CDN cool for 3 people ($89 US per person + taxes and fees).

To start with, the “line” – if you could call it that (no actual lines until a few metres before the ticket scanners) – was chaotic, so we ended up shoved to the back and got in 20 minutes late. While it was neat interacting with the AI robots, we didn’t have time for the Avatar scan (where they scan you and send you a 10-second video featuring your Avatar!)… in fact, we only got 1/3 of the Atrium pre-show experience. Instead of an hour in the Atrium, but we lost 20 minutes getting in (doors should open earlier!!); and then 20 minutes before the show, you are herded to your seats.

Part 2 of The Sphere Experience is the 50-minute movie, Postcard from Earth, featuring a mix of beautiful cinematography and CGI. While we enjoyed the imagery, sound quality, and haptic seats that made it feel like thunder really was crashing overhead, or an elephant was walking by, we could’ve done without the preachy storyline… I understand that climate change is human caused, but I hate the idea that this planet is beyond repair and that a select few will populate a new planet after we’ve destroyed this one. And being told how destructive humans are while sitting in a $2.3 billion building that uses “enough energy to power 21,000 homes” at peak electricity usage (Source) was ironic to say the least.

So while I loved seeing the Sphere while exploring The Strip, I’m not sure I would recommend The Sphere Experience until the lines are better managed, ticket prices come down, and a different movie (or concert!) is playing.

Best viewing spots: Walk down Sands Avenue to The Sphere for a close up view, or look down on it from the High Roller Observation Wheel. Depending on where you’re staying, you might have an amazing view from your hotel room (ask for a higher floor with a view when you check in). There’s also a Mini 50′ tall Sphere inside Resorts World!

11. The Big Apple Coaster at New York New York

Get your adrenaline pumping on The Big Apple Coaster, a thrilling ride that twists and turns around New York New York Hotel. Hold on tight as you zip through a 180-degree “heartline twist” and drop 203 feet, reaching speeds up to 67 miles per hour (108 km/hr!). The speed and views of the Las Vegas Strip will take your breath away. Riders must be at least 54″ (137 cm) tall.

12. Fun Dungeon at Excalibur and Excalibur’s Tournament of Kings

Step back in time to the age of knights and dragons at Excalibur’s Fun Dungeon, where 200+ arcade/carnival/sports games await. For a one-of-a-kind experience, dine like royalty at Excalibur’s Tournament of Kings, where jousting matches unfold before your eyes (reservations required).

13. Flamingo Wildlife Habitat at The Flamingo Hotel

For a change of pace, take a leisurely stroll through the lush oasis of the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat, a 4-acre home to exotic birds, vibrant flamingos, turtles, and waterfalls. This tranquil retreat provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of the Strip. Free to visit!

14. Adventuredome and Free Circus Acts at Circus Circus

Kids will have a blast at the 5-acre Adventuredome, America’s largest indoor theme park, boasting 25 rides and attractions for all ages. Family favorites include the Angry Birds 4D Motion Simulator Ride, Canyon Blaster (double corkscrew 55 mph roller coaster), and Canyon Cars bumper cars. Don’t miss Neon Nights on Friday and Saturday nights when everything glows!

While you’re there, enjoy the arcade, classic arcade, midway, mini golf, laser challenges, virtual reality games, and daily free circus acts performed by the world’s largest permanent circus. Don’t forget to get a photo with the historic Circus Circus sign before you go!

15. X-Scream, SkyJump, and Big Shot Rides at The Strat

For the ultimate thrill-seekers, The Strat offers three heart-pounding experiences:

• Big Shot, a ride that propels you 160 feet at an exhilarating speed of 45 miles per hour from the 921-foot-high platform.
• SkyJump is a controlled free fall from the tallest structure in Las Vegas.
• X-Scream offers a roller coaster experience unlike any other, as it teeters over the Tower’s edge from a breathtaking height of 866 feet. With a thrilling head-first propulsion of 27 feet over the edge, passengers are then suspended weightlessly above the glittering Las Vegas Strip before being pulled back for another exhilarating ride.

Brace yourself for an adrenaline rush like no other!

Downtown Las Vegas

16. Downtown Container Park & Mantis Fire Show

Discover a unique shopping and entertainment destination at the Downtown Container Park, where recycled shipping containers house an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Let the kids play in the interactive playground while you unwind with a drink or two, then catch the Mantis Fire Show from sunset until 9 pm (the show goes later, but after 9 pm, the park is 21+). The 40’/12.2 m tall mantis throws flames up to 6 stories high! The Mantis Fire Show is FREE!

17. The Fremont Street Experience & VIVA Vision Show

Head to downtown Las Vegas’ Fremont Street for the dazzling VIVA Vision light show, where the world’s largest LED canopy screen spans five blocks and delivers vibrant visuals to music. This sensory extravaganza plays every night on the hour from 6 pm to 2 am, with a different show every hour. Check the VIVA Vision Schedule here for your favorite artist. We loved the Katy Perry show!

More Fremont Street fun includes live music, buskers, and the epic SlotZilla Zipline which goes under the Viva Vision screen! For a limited time, you can get unlimited zipline flights from Monday to Friday, 12 pm to 5 pm PLUS one set of digital photos for $69 US + taxes and fees. Get tickets from The Fremont Street Experience.

Know before you go: As our Uber driver said, “People go to Fremont Street to get drunk,” so it gets pretty wild later in the evening. If you’re there with kids, catch an early show then go to the Container Park.

18. Discovery Children’s Museum Las Vegas

Spark your child’s curiosity and imagination at the innovative Discovery Children’s Museum, where hands-on exhibits and interactive displays ignite a passion for learning. From science and technology to art and culture, there’s something for every young explorer to discover in this 58,000 square foot space featuring 9 exhibits on 3 levels. Designed for kids aged 0 to 12. Open Tuesdays to Sundays, and Mondays during winter and spring break (except Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Easter).

Instagrammable spots in the area: Pipe Dream Sculpture at Symphony Park, and the “crumpled paper” building designed by Frank Gehry (Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health).

Off Strip Must Sees

19. Explore Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Escape the neon lights and embark on an outdoor adventure at Red Rock Canyon, just a short drive from the Strip. Hike through scenic trails, marvel at towering rock formations, and soak in the natural beauty of this desert oasis. Red Rock Canyon is a 25 minute drive from The Strip.

Know Before You Go: Day/Annual Passes are required to visit the park, and timed reservations are required to drive the 13 mile (20.9 km) Scenic Loop between 8am-5pm from October 1 through May 31. Visit Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas for more info.

20. Area 15: Imagine Indoor Burning Man

With weird and wonderful art and light installations reminiscent of Burning Man, you could stay an hour or afternoon at Area 15. It’s free to visit (reserve a free entry pass here – one per group) and see the grounds, but passes are required for the immersive experiences, rides, or alternate realities. Purchase a la carte passes or save on multiple activities with pass bundles. Some of the most popular experiences include Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart and LIFTOFF Observation Sky Ride. 10 minute drive from The Bellagio.

Know Before You Go

After visiting Vegas three times, my best advice is to pace yourself and explore one area per day (e.g. Mandalay Bay to Bellagio). That way, you won’t be walking crazy long distances or spending a long time on crowded buses. On the south side of The Strip, take the free trams as much as possible (more info below) to save your feet!

Book popular attractions and restaurants in advance so you don’t miss out. New shows sell out quickly, and Michelin starred restaurants are often booked up for several weeks. If you’re going to an older show, like Cirque du Soleil’s Mystere, you can buy discounted same day tickets, especially if you’re flexible on time ($ saving tip: The 9 pm Cirque shows are cheaper than the 7:30 pm shows).

The Strip can be overwhelming with all the lights, loud music, and people, so I wouldn’t bring kids who get overstimulated easily. For the best experience with children, head out early in the day, before it gets busy, and take a break somewhere quiet at least once a day. The Flamingo Habitat is a peaceful place to relax in, and surprisingly, Fashion Show Mall’s Food Court was pretty empty (good place to sit and enjoy a cheap lunch).

If you need a nature break and find an affordable rental car, there are some amazing parks and gardens off The Strip including Red Rock Canyon, Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden (there’s a chocolate factory there too), and Springs Preserve Botanical Garden (named one of the “Top 10 North American Gardens Worth Traveling For” at the Garden Tourism Awards).

Another reason to head out early is so you can come back early. Expect to see a lot of bare butts at night (more on Fremont Street than The Strip): showgirls and strippers (male and female) in thongs, women in bondage gear with whips, and people handing out “girls for tonight” cards (many with nude photos on them). If you take a photo with any of the performers, a tip is expected. It goes without saying that you’ll see a lot of drunk people too, but everyone we saw looked pretty happy, and there were plenty of police in the busy areas just in case (like Fremont Street and by the Bellagio Fountains at night).

On the plus side, while nights may get a bit wild, we felt safe taking the bus back from a Cirque show at 11:30 pm at night. There were lots of people on the street and on the bus, and there are security cameras on each bus as well. We preferred coming back earlier, however, when the bus was less crowded.

Bring a reusable water bottle to reduce waste and save money. Water is up to $8 a bottle (but we found some 2/$1 at a gift shop when we couldn’t find a bottle refilling station).

The casinos still allow smoking, so avoid walking through the casinos when you can!

How to Keep Costs Down

If you are visiting from Canada, everything will cost almost 40% more (US/Cdn exchange rate is 1.36 and most credit cards charge 2.5% currency exchange fee). See our recommendations on keeping food and lodging costs down, and the most affordable ways to get around.

Where to Eat (& Where to Find Cheap Eats)

Here are some affordable options for eating out in Vegas:

• Find fast food at Food Courts on The Strip: Fashion Show Mall, Forum Food Hall at Caesars Palace, Grand Canal Shoppes Food Court at The Venetian, Block 16 Urban Food Hall at The Cosmopolitan (yummy Italian food), Castle Walk at Excalibur; Village Eateries at New York New York; Flamingo Food Court; and Harrah’s Fulton Street Food Hall
• There are also a few McDonalds on The Strip
• For healthy and tasty takeout, try Jaburrito Sushi Burritos & Bowls in The Linq Promenade. Order at the counter or from the tablet, and dine in.
• Denny’s and The Olive Garden are affordable restaurants on The Strip. And The Olive Garden still offers unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks!
• For super cheap lunch and snacks, head to Target Grocery: sandwiches, salad, yogurt, fruit cups, snacks
• Some drug stores on The Strip even had salads, sandwiches, fruit, chips, and granola bars

Now that you know where to eat for cheap, you can splurge on a few fancy lunches. The lunch menu is always more affordable than the dinner menu! We recommend Hell’s Kitchen at Caesars Palace, Mon Ami Gabi at The Paris (they have Weekend Brunch and great views of the Bellagio Fountains), and Benihana at Fashion Show Mall. True Food Kitchen at Caesars Forum has healthy and delicious meals for a reasonable price.

Getting Around

Car rentals are extremely expensive in Las Vegas right now due to a shortage of vehicles (Hertz was $182 Cdn for 1 day including insurance!), and free parking is hard to find. We suggest taking an Uber/Lyft from the airport to the Strip and then taking public transit or free trams.

Getting around by bus is easy and affordable (take the Deuce bus from one end of The Strip to the other), but the crux is that is gets really full by late morning and continues to be busy all day. If you can leave your hotel before 10 am, you’ll be able to get on a bus right away and beat the midday rush. When the buses are full, they don’t stop!

Save on bus fare when you buy a 3-day transit pass for $20! (A 24-hour pass is $8.). Buy passes from ridertc and get the app so you can tap and go, OR buy passes from bus ticket machines on The Strip. We opted for paper tickets from the machine so we wouldn’t have to use data.

If you’re staying on the south side of the strip, you can take free trams from:

• Mandalay Bay – Luxor – Excalibur: Friday to Tuesday
• Park MGM – Crystals Shopping Centre – Bellagio: daily
• Mirage – Treasure Island: Thursday to Sunday

What about the monorail? It’s fast and far less crowded than the Deuce bus, but the stations are a bit far from The Strip, so we never rode it.

Where to Stay (Best Affordable Options for Families)

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Here are the best affordable hotels in Las Vegas that are great for families! We selected these hotels based on cost, reviews, and location. On our March 2024 trip, we stayed at Circus Circus and were pleasantly surprised at how spacious and clean our room was. Although the advertised rate was $34/nt, with all taxes and fees*, it came to $88/nt. Still a good deal!

*Check the total price carefully before booking! Most hotels on The Strip charge $40-50/night in resort fees.

The LINQ Hotel + Experience is centrally located on The Strip across from Caesars Palace, has an outdoor swimming pool, and overlooks the LINQ Promenade. Renovated in 2014 (formerly was The Quad and before that Imperial Palace), the stylish rooms sleep 2-5, and most have a view of The Strip, Linq Promenade, or High Roller Observation Wheel. Families with 3 kids can book a 2 queen + single bunk bed room. Walk everywhere! Resort fees are $69/nt.

Another affordable option is Circus Circus Hotel, Casino, and Theme Park (we stayed in The West Tower), on the north side of The Strip. This hotel is a family favorite with an outdoor pool; Splash Zone & Pool featuring 3 50′ tall waterslides, splash pad, 2 pools, and whirlpools (included in resort fee); largest indoor amusem*nt park in the world with 25 rides, arcades, virtual reality rooms, and midway; and FREE circus acts. It’s a 10-minute bus ride to the heart of The Strip and you can purchase multi-day bus passes from the ticket machine at the bus stop. If you rented a car, there’s free parking onsite (not many hotels offer that in Vegas these days!). Dog friendly rooms are available too! Our room was spacious and clean and had a view of The Sphere. The only thing I didn’t love is that there wasn’t a coffee maker in the room, so we had to go out for coffee every day (good thing there’s a Food Court downstairs and McDonald’s next door). Resort fees are $54/nt.

• The Skyrise and West Tower Rooms (where we stayed for $88/night including taxes and fees) are the most recently renovated, but the most expensive.
• Casino Tower Rooms are a bit cheaper than the other towers.
• Manor Motor Lodge Rooms are the cheapest (but are looking their age).

Hilton Vacation Club Polo Towers, on the south side of The Strip (0.6 mi/1 km walk to The Bellagio), has an outdoor pool, spa, gym, business centre, bbq/picnic area, laundry, spacious rooms that sleep 2-6 people, and even has rooms with kitchenettes and full kitchens! Resort fees are $43/nt.

Conclusion

Las Vegas may be famous for its nightlife and casinos, but it’s a lot of fun for families. With tons of unique – and huge – attractions, and amazing shows, you won’t run out of things to do whether you stay for four days or a week.

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