Things to do in Vegas with kids
Vegas with kids?! I know, it’s not the first family-friendly destination that comes to mind, but we went with some friends as part of a conference, and now I want to go back every year! 👙🍴🪅
It can get very hot in the desert🌵, which is why Fall🍂 or Spring🌷 is a good time to go to Vegas with kids. Vegas has a high density of amazing family-friendly pools which you can enjoy at this perfect temperature.
Aside from pools, there are a LOT of fun (and free!) things to do with young kids in Vegas – I’ve created a round-up of the 15 best things to do (paid and free) with kids in Vegas. I’ve sorted it into north, mid, and south strip, so that you can better decide which hotels to stay at, and group activities for the day.
Once you’ve compiled a list of the things to do in Vegas, choose a family hotel close to those attractions.
Happy planning!
NORTH STRIP (Circus Circus, Encore, STRAT, Venetian, Wynn)
1. Discovery Children’s Museum
If you have young kids, you are probably no stranger to children’s discovery museums. This one in Vegas is over 3 floors!
- Nearby Hotels: The STRAT, The ENGLiSH, Golden Nugget
- Opening Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Tue-Fri), 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Sat), 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. (Sun)
- Ticket Price: $14.50 (adults and children over 1)
- Age Restrictions: None
2. Magical Forest
This is a 2.5 acre theme park only open seasonally for Halloween and Christmas themed adventures. Walk through a ‘cemetery’ with friendly witches and ghosts, enjoy rides and dine or shop in this wonderland.
- Nearby Hotels: Actually located West of the strip, ~15mins drive from Palace Station and Circus Circus
- Opening Hours: Seasonal (typically open from late November to early January)
- Ticket Price: $22 (adults), $19 (children)
- Age Restrictions: None
3. Adventure Dome at Circus Circus
A 5-acre indoor amusement park featuring roller coasters, rides, arcade games, and family-friendly entertainment.
- Nearby Hotels: Circus Circus, The STRAT
- Opening Hours: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily
- Ticket Price: $60 for all-day ride passes
- Age Restrictions: None (some rides have height restrictions)
4. AREA15
Created by the famous Meow Wolf collective of artists based in Santa Fe, AREA15 is an immersive entertainment venue featuring art installations, virtual reality, and interactive experiences like Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart.
- Nearby Hotels: Venetian, Trump, Treasure Island, Encore, Hilton Resorts World
- Opening Hours: 12 p.m. – 12 a.m. (Mon-Thurs), 12 p.m. – 1 a.m. (Fri), 10 a.m. – 1 a.m. (Sat), 10 a.m. – 12 a.m. (Sun)
- Ticket Price: Free (some experiences require paid tickets)
- Age Restrictions: None (some experiences have age limits, but most are family-friendly)
5. Lake of Dreams
A stunning nighttime water show featuring a 40-foot waterfall, puppets, music, and over 5,500 LED lights.
6. SeaQuest Las Vegas
A walk-through immersive immersive journey through prehistoric times with lifelike animatronic dinosaurs. This attraction is located in the central strip amongst many popular hotels.
7. The Gondola Rides at The Venetian
One of the best things about going to Vegas with kids is that you have an excuse to do things you might otherwise feel awkward doing as adults 🙂 Enjoy a gondola ride through the indoor and outdoor canals of The Venetian, serenaded by a gondolier.
MID STRIP (Bellagio, Caesars, TI, Paris, Planet Hollywood)
9. The Fall of Atlantis at Caesar’s Palace
A free animatronic show featuring fire, water, and mythical figures, located at the Forum Shops in Caesar’s Palace. A good pit stop while strolling the Forum shops, perhaps, after the famous Caesar’s seafood buffet. It can get crowded at popular times.
- Nearby Hotels: Caesar’s Palace, Bellagio
- Opening Hours: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. (show times may vary)
- Ticket Price: Free
- Age Restrictions: None
10. The LINQ Promenade
This area really captures the essence of Vegas. An outdoor shopping and entertainment area where you’ll find the High roller wheel, zipline, and the Ice Bar, which serves kid-friendly drinks.
- Nearby Hotels: LINQ, Hilton Grand Vacations, The Westin
- Opening Hours: 10 a.m. – 12 a.m.
- Ticket Price: Free
- Age Restrictions: None
11. High Roller Observation Wheel
This was one of the highlights of our Vegas with kids trip! The world’s tallest observation wheel at 550 feet, offering stunning panoramic views of the Las Vegas Strip. We went during the daytime and took photos with amazing views, and purchased the souvenir photo which showed a night view of the strip.
- Nearby Hotels: LINQ, Hilton Grand Vacations, The Westin
- Opening Hours: 2 p.m. – 12 a.m. daily
- Ticket Price: $23.50 (day), $34.75 (night)
- Age Restrictions: None
12. Bellagio Fountains
One of the most famous attractions in Vegas – the Bellagio fountains are a must-see. It is a choreographed water show featuring fountains synchronized to music that plays every 30 minutes. You can watch it by securing a spot right next to the fountain, or from nearby restaurants and hotels. Superb during the day, and spectacularly lit up by night.
- Nearby Hotels: Bellagio, Caesar’s Palace
- Opening Hours: 3 p.m. – 12 a.m. (Mon-Fri), 12 p.m. – 12 a.m. (Sat-Sun) Every 30 minutes
- Ticket Price: Free
- Age Restrictions: None
13. Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden
An indoor botanical garden with intricate floral displays that change seasonally. It is quite a large space, so kids have room to roam around. The displays are not interactive, but sometimes they move, and there is a hot air balloon you can dine in (up to 6 people).
- Nearby Hotels: Bellagio, Cosmopolitan
- Opening Hours: 24/7
- Ticket Price: Free
- Age Restrictions: None
SOUTH STRIP (Aria, Cosmo, Luxor, Mandalay Bay)
14. Museum of Illusions Las Vegas
Optical illusions and interactive exhibits designed to challenge your perception.
- Nearby Hotels: Cosmopolitan, Planet Hollywood, Aria, Elara
- Opening Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Ticket Price: $24.99 (adults), $19.99 (children)
- Age Restrictions: None
15. Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
Vegas with kids is incomplete with at least one aquarium visit! A shipwreck themed aquarium with a petting pool and feeding sessions that you can participate in! There are many viewing windows and the fish were as breathtaking as any leading national aquarium.
- Nearby Hotels: Mandalay Bay, Luxor
- Opening Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Ticket Price: $29 (adults), $24 (children)
- Age Restrictions: None
Once you’ve compiled a list of the things to do in Vegas, choose a family hotel close to those attractions.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may get some coffee money if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. I hope you got some value from this post and I truly enjoyed writing it 🙂
