OVERVIEW

Las Vegas may not seem like an obvious family destination at first, but after visiting several times with kids, we’ve discovered there is actually an impressive number of fun, family-friendly attractions throughout the city. 

Beyond the casinos, Vegas offers everything from immersive shows and thrill rides to interactive museums, colorful art installations, arcades, aquariums, and surprisingly good entertainment for children of all ages. 

During our recent trips with Oliver and Maddie, we explored many of the city’s most popular kid-friendly attractions, including a few Cirque du Soleil shows, a 4D movie at the Sphere, Fremont Street, AREA15, roller coasters, and unique themed exhibits. 

This guide covers the best things to do in Las Vegas with kids, including which experiences are genuinely memorable, which are overrated, and which are actually worth the price. 

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING VEGAS WITH KIDS

While Las Vegas can certainly be fun for families, there are a few important things parents should know before visiting. The Strip is extremely crowded, noisy, and overstimulating at times, especially during evenings and weekends. Large crowds, smoking, strong odors, street performers, explicit advertisements, and intoxicated tourists are all common throughout many areas of Las Vegas.

Fremont Street becomes especially adult-oriented late at night, with louder crowds, more aggressive street performers, and less family-friendly behavior compared to daytime hours. Families with younger children will usually have a much better experience visiting Fremont earlier in the evening.

Distances on the Strip are also far more deceptive than they appear. Hotels that look close together can easily require 20-30 minute walks, especially when navigating bridges, escalators, crowds, and massive casino interiors. Comfortable shoes, strollers for younger kids, and frequent breaks become very important during long days exploring the city.

Parents should also expect many attractions in Las Vegas to feel overpriced. Ride tickets, arcade games, food, drinks, parking, and resort fees add up quickly, especially for larger families. Setting a daily entertainment budget ahead of time can help avoid surprises.

Finally, while there are many excellent family-friendly activities in Las Vegas, the city is still fundamentally designed around adults and nightlife. Families who balance kid-focused attractions with pool time, shows, and slower-paced activities will usually enjoy the experience much more than trying to constantly rush between attractions.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN VEGAS WITH KIDS

Watch a Magic Act or Variety Show

Las Vegas is filled with magic acts and variety shows that work remarkably well for families with kids. Many performances combine large illusions, audience interaction, comedy, and fast-paced entertainment that help keep younger audiences engaged throughout the show. 

We saw both the Allstars of Magic and David Copperfield shows during our visits, and both were impressive in different ways. The Allstars of Magic show felt more intimate and comedy-focused, while David Copperfield featured larger-scale illusions and theatrical storytelling. 

Both performances also included plenty of humor, which helped make the shows entertaining not only for kids, but for adults as well.

Discover the Sphere

Watching a performance inside Sphere is one of the most immersive entertainment experiences in Las Vegas, especially for kids. 

We saw The Wizard of Oz presented in 4D, and the combination of the massive wraparound screen, sound system, and physical effects made it feel far beyond a normal movie theater experience. 

Throughout the show, different environmental effects were timed to match scenes on screen, including foam apples falling from the ceiling when Dorothy meets the Tin Man, bursts of fire when the group meets the Wizard in Emerald City, wind and fog effects during the tornado sequence. 

The visuals are incredibly intense and immersive, but for kids who enjoy sensory-heavy attractions and large-scale productions, it can become one of the most memorable experiences in Vegas. 

Thrill Rides on the STRAT rooftop

Perched on top of The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower, three thrill rides are among the most intense attractions in Las Vegas. 

Rides like Big Shot, X-Scream, and Insanity dangle or launch riders high above the Strip, combining extreme heights with panoramic city views that can feel terrifying even before the ride begins. The experience is especially popular with teenagers and adrenaline seekers looking for something beyond the usual Vegas attractions. 

The biggest drawback is the price, since admission to the tower and the rides can add up quickly for families. Still, for older kids who enjoy thrill rides and heights, it is one of the most memorable experiences in Las Vegas. 

Fremont Street Experience

About five miles from the Las Vegas Strip, you’ll find a completely different side of Vegas, where bright lights, live music, street performers, and the massive LED canopy create a far more energetic and historic atmosphere than the modern resorts of the Strip. 

Fremont Street Experience feels louder, more chaotic, and far more old-school Vegas, which can either be exciting or overwhelming depending on the time of day. The giant overhead video screen runs frequent light shows paired with music, and the entire area stays active late into the night.

One of the most popular attractions on Fremont Street is the SlotZilla Zipline, which sends riders flying above the crowds beneath the canopy. There are two different zipline options, including a higher “superhero” style flight that lets riders soar face-down across much of Fremont Street. 

Downtown Container Park

Only a couple blocks from Fremont Street is the Downtown Container Park. Built from repurposed shipping containers, the outdoor shopping and dining area features small boutiques, casual restaurants, live music, and a large playground area for kids. 

One of the highlights is the giant fire-breathing praying mantis sculpture at the entrance. While the shopping itself is somewhat limited, the open-air layout and calmer environment make it a pleasant break from the louder casinos and crowded resorts elsewhere in Las Vegas. 

Flower and Glass Displays at the Wynn

Inside the Wynn Hotel and Casino you’ll find colorful floral displays, hanging gardens, and elegant designs creating one of the most visually impressive resort environments on the Strip. 

Walking through the Wynn’s flower-filled atriums and seasonal displays ended up being one of the highlights of our time in Las Vegas , especially because the entire area feels calm, bright, and beautifully maintained compared to many other resorts. 

The gardens are excellent for photos, with vibrant colors and creative decorations throughout the property. The Wynn Las Vegas also hosts the Lake of Dreams multimedia show. It’s worth a  brief stop, but overall it felt somewhat overrated and less impressive than what we expected.

Fantasy Lab – Colors of Mexico

Fantasy Lab Las Vegas – Colors of Mexico is a little known attraction inside the Fashion Show Las Vegas mall, but we found it to be absolutely beautiful and a great illustration of Mexican culture. 

The restaurant and exhibit features a series of immersive rooms filled with vibrant colors, lighting effects, music, and interactive installations inspired by Mexican culture and art.

 Nearly every space feels designed for photos, and the constantly changing visuals make it especially fun for families and kids. The experience is easy to move through at your own pace, and most visitors spend about an hour there taking pictures inside the different themed rooms. 

One of the best parts is that each ticket includes a $15 voucher that can be used on food, drinks, or merchandise in the gift shop, which helps offset the admission price and makes the overall experience feel like a tremendous value. 

Watch a Cirque du Soleil Show

Cirque du Soleil shows are some of the best entertainment options in Las Vegas for families, especially for kids who enjoy music, costumes, comedy, and acrobatics. 

I’ve seen nearly all of the various Cirque productions in Vegas over the years, but we decided to take Maddie to Mystère at Treasure Island Hotel & Casino, and it ended up being her favorite activity of the entire trip. 

The show combines humor, colorful characters, live music, and nonstop acrobatics in a way that keeps kids engaged throughout the performance. It also felt very family-friendly and appropriate for younger audiences compared to some other Vegas productions. 

Since Maddie is a budding gymnast, she was completely fascinated by the strength, balance, and athleticism of the performers. Cirque du Soleil shows have a timeless quality and they remain just as impressive no matter how many times you see them.

AREA15 & Meow Wolf

AREA15 and Omega Mart by Meow Wolf offer one of the most unusual and immersive experiences in Las Vegas. AREA15 combines interactive art, games, food, music, and attractions inside a massive entertainment complex filled with neon colors, glowing tunnels, and constantly changing visuals. 

Omega Mart, the centerpiece attraction, begins as a bizarre grocery store before leading visitors into hidden rooms, surreal environments, and interactive story elements. The experience is incredibly visually intense and overstimulating at times, especially for younger children or anyone sensitive to crowds and flashing lights. 

AREA15 is also very expensive, but there are a variety of activity packages to choose from, depending on how long and in depth you want to explore the attraction. Still, Maddie absolutely loved it, and overall it ended up being a fun and creative experience for the whole family.

Fountains of Bellagio 

Set against the lights and energy of the Las Vegas Strip, Fountains of Bellagio remains one of the city’s most memorable free attractions. Powerful water jets shoot high above the lake in carefully choreographed performances set to music and lighting effects that change throughout the day. 

Evening shows are especially impressive, when the illuminated fountains create a much more dramatic atmosphere. Kids often enjoy watching the massive bursts of water and synchronized movements, while adults appreciate the scale and classic Vegas atmosphere surrounding the display. 

Atlantis Show

Tucked inside Forum Shops at Caesars, this free animatronic attraction mixes mythology, special effects, fire, and dramatic storytelling into a short but entertaining performance. 

Giant statues come to life as the story of Atlantis unfolds through moving characters, flashing lights, water effects, and loud sound effects that younger kids often find exciting. Although the attraction definitely feels older compared to newer Las Vegas productions, it still has a nostalgic charm and remains worth seeing if you are already exploring the Forum Shops. 

The show only lasts around ten minutes, making it an easy stop during a shopping break, especially for families looking for free indoor entertainment on the Strip. 

Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

Bright seasonal displays, enormous floral sculptures, and constantly changing themes make Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens one of the most impressive free attractions in Las Vegas. 

The indoor garden is redesigned several times throughout the year, with elaborate arrangements featuring flowers, plants, fountains, lights, and animated decorations. Kids often enjoy the oversized animals and colorful moving displays, while adults appreciate the incredible detail and craftsmanship throughout the exhibit. 

The cool indoor setting also provides a peaceful break from the busy Strip and desert heat outside. Since admission is completely free and the conservatory is centrally located inside the Bellagio, it is an easy stop to include during a day exploring Las Vegas resorts. 

M&M & Coca Cola Stores

The M&M’s Las Vegas and Coca-Cola Store Las Vegas are two classic family-friendly stops located next to each other on the Las Vegas Strip. Both are colorful, energetic, and easy to visit while walking through the area. 

The M&M’s store spans multiple floors filled with candy walls, merchandise, photo opportunities, and interactive displays that younger kids especially enjoy. 

Right next door, the Coca-Cola Store is known for its rooftop views and international soda tasting experience, where visitors can sample Coca-Cola products from around the world. 

Like many attractions on the Strip, prices can feel inflated, but both stores are still fun free-to-enter stops that work well for families exploring Vegas. 

Tournament of Kings

Tournament of Kings is one of the best dinner shows in Las Vegas for families with kids. Held inside Excalibur Hotel & Casino, the show combines medieval-style jousting, sword fights, pyrotechnics, and crowd interaction in a fast-paced arena setting. 

Kids especially enjoy cheering for their assigned knight while watching horses race through the arena. The meal is intentionally simple and served without utensils to match the medieval theme, which younger kids often find entertaining. 

While the food is fairly average, the lively atmosphere and nonstop action make it a memorable family-friendly Vegas experience. 

Big Apple Coaster and Arcade at New York-New York

The roller coaster at New York-New York Hotel & Casino is among the most exciting kid-friendly attractions on the Las Vegas Strip, especially for older children and teenagers. 

Big Apple Coaster races around the hotel’s skyline with sharp drops, loops, and fast turns that make it feel much more intense than many family coasters. You’ll be moving at almost 70 mph while on the coaster. Nearby, the Big Apple Arcade is worth a stop while visiting the New York-New York Hotel & Casino.

Madame Tussauds Las Vegas

Located next to the Venetian, Madame Tussauds displays lifelike wax figures of celebrities, athletes, musicians, movie characters, and superheroes throughout a series of themed rooms. 

Unlike many traditional museums, visitors are encouraged to interact with the exhibits and take photos alongside the figures. The attraction also includes several interactive experiences and special effects areas, making it an entertaining activity for families. 

Neon Museum 

Only a few blocks from Fremont Street in Old Las Vegas, the Neon Museum is one of the most unique attractions in Las Vegas, featuring dozens of restored vintage casino and hotel signs from the city’s past. 

Walking through the outdoor “Neon Boneyard” feels like stepping through Las Vegas history, and the colorful signs create some excellent photo opportunities. The museum does come with a fairly steep price tag for the relatively short experience, however, and most visitors only need about an hour to explore it thoroughly. 

For the best experience, plan to visit around dusk when the lighting becomes softer, the signs begin glowing, and the entire museum becomes much more atmospheric and photogenic. 

Shark Reef Aquarium

Located inside Mandalay Bay, Shark Reef Aquarium features sharks, sea turtles, rays, jellyfish, crocodiles, and hundreds of tropical fish displayed throughout a series of immersive underwater exhibits. 

One of the highlights is the walk-through shark tunnel, where large sharks and rays swim overhead as visitors move through the aquarium. While smaller than some major city aquariums, it still provides a fun indoor activity and a welcome break from the Las Vegas heat and crowds. 

Discovery Children’s Museum 

Located near downtown Las Vegas, Discovery Children’s Museum is one of the best attractions in the city for younger children. Popular exhibits focus on engineering, nature, creativity, and problem-solving, while the variety of activities makes it appealing for a wide range of ages and interests. 

The museum features multiple floors of hands-on science exhibits, climbing structures, water play areas, art activities, and interactive learning spaces designed to keep kids engaged for hours. 

Unique Vegas Museums

Las Vegas also has several unique museums and attractions that work surprisingly well for families with kids. The Mob Museum is one of the city’s most famous and is better suited for older kids and teens, with interactive exhibits focused on organized crime, law enforcement, and the history of Las Vegas. 

The Pinball Hall of Fame is also a great place to visit with kids, featuring hundreds of classic arcade games and pinball machines that are inexpensive to play and packed with retro charm.

Located inside Luxor Hotel and Casino, the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition features hundreds of authentic artifacts recovered from the wreck site, along with recreated hallways, cabins, and the famous Grand Staircase.

Hunger Games: The Exhibition and Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. were two attractions we enjoyed during previous visits to Las Vegas. Unfortunately, both have since closed.

Shopping

Shopping in Las Vegas can be surprisingly fun for kids, especially at places like the Miracle Mile Shops, the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, the Fashion Show Las Vegas mall, and the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian. 

The Miracle Mile Shops are probably the most budget-friendly overall and have a wide mix of souvenir stores, candy shops, casual clothing stores, and fun places to wander indoors away from the heat. 

The Forum Shops feel more upscale and over-the-top, with massive statues, fountains, and themed architecture that almost feels like an attraction itself. Meanwhile, the Grand Canal Shoppes are especially enjoyable for families thanks to the indoor canals with singing gondoliers, painted sky ceilings, and lively atmosphere.

Maddie especially loved the Hello Kitty Cafe at Fashion Show Las Vegas, which became one of the highlights of our Las Vegas vacation. She also spent plenty of time browsing Pop Mart locations, quirky souvenir stores, and kid-friendly clothing stores throughout the mall. 

Prices in Vegas can definitely be inflated, but if you shop around carefully, there are still some surprisingly reasonable finds.

Pools at Mandalay Bay

The pool complex at Mandalay Bay is one of the largest and most impressive on the Las Vegas Strip, featuring a massive wave pool, lazy river, sandy beach areas, and multiple swimming pools spread across several acres. 

The wave pool regularly generates large artificial waves that make it feel surprisingly similar to an ocean beach experience. Families especially appreciate the resort-style atmosphere, extensive seating areas, and variety of water attractions available throughout the property. 

Adventuredome

Located inside Circus Circus Las Vegas, Adventuredome is a large indoor amusement park featuring roller coasters, carnival rides, arcade games, laser tag, and mini golf. Attractions range from gentle kid rides to high-thrill roller coasters, making the park suitable for a wide variety of ages. 

High Roller

Standing 550 feet tall, the High Roller is one of the tallest observation wheels in the world and offers sweeping views of the Las Vegas Strip and surrounding valley. 

Located at The LINQ Promenade, the wheel takes about 30 minutes to complete one full rotation inside large climate-controlled cabins. Riding at night is especially popular, as the Strip’s lights and illuminated resorts create some of the best panoramic views in Las Vegas.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS

Las Vegas will never be mistaken for a traditional family destination, but it offers far more for kids than most first-time visitors expect. Between world-class shows, immersive attractions, unique museums, thrilling rides, and surprisingly good family entertainment, it’s easy to fill several days with memorable experiences.

While not every attraction is worth the price, the right mix of activities can create a surprisingly enjoyable trip for both children and adults. With realistic expectations and a flexible itinerary, Las Vegas can be a fun and rewarding destination for families looking for something a little different.