Things to Do in Vegas with Kids: 6 Family-Friendly Activities

Las Vegas may be known as Sin City for some, but it’s also a go-to travel destination for family-friendly fun. Make memories for all ages with our handy guide to some of the best activities to do with kids in Las Vegas.

Best Things to Do in Las Vegas with Kids

Las Vegas has something perfect for families of all kinds, from kid-friendly shows and spectacles to outdoor adventures, high-energy adrenaline rides, educational museums and more.

Kid-Friendly Shows in Las Vegas

Tournament of Kings, Jabbawockeez and Other Family Shows

Plenty of Las Vegas highlights are perfect for the whole family. Bring the kids to Tournament of Kings, the epic medieval-themed dinner theater extravaganza complete with sword fights, a jousting tournament and turkey legs galore at Excalibur Hotel & Casino.

Or experience the slick rhythms and eye-popping choreography of Jabbawockeez, the famous masked dance troupe that combines hip-hop, lasers, comedy and crowd participation into an unforgettable experience that was voted ‘Best Family Show’ and ‘Best All Ages Show’ for three years running at MGM Grand Las Vegas.

Magic and Cirque du Soleil

Las Vegas magic shows send the imagination soaring with acts like Shin Lim and America’s Got Talent winner Mat Franco electrifying audiences of all ages with their illusions, close-up card tricks and sleight of hand mastery.

For older kids, Cirque du Soleil provides lavish entertainment with shows like the dramatic adventure of KÀ at MGM Grand.

Note that children under the age of 3 are not permitted to see KÀ due to some scenes that incorporate loud noises and darkness, and all guests under the age of eighteen (18) years must be accompanied by an adult.

Rides, Views and High-Energy Attractions

High Roller and Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck

Want a more relaxing addition to your itinerary? Check out the best views in Las Vegas with popular attractions like the High Roller Wheel at The LINQ and the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck at Paris Las Vegas. Both attractions offer daytime and nighttime views — with Anytime Tickets available for adults and youth ages 4-12. (The High Roller also offers Fast Passes to skip the line after 5 p.m. MT.)

Big Apple Coaster, Fly LINQ and Adventuredome

The Big Apple Coaster at NYNY remains one of the most popular thrill rides on the entire Strip, with the one-of-a-kind roller coaster taking riders in New York-style taxi cabs up a 180-foot lift hill before sending them through an exhilarating series of turns, loops and drops — including a 144-foot drop next to the iconic hotel’s entrance.

Meanwhile, FLY LINQ Zipline at The LINQ sends parents and kids alike soaring over Las Vegas as the Strip’s premier zipline, and the Adventuredome at Circus Circus is the city’s one and only indoor amusement park offering fun for the whole brood.

BattleBots

For some high-octane competition, BattleBots Destruct-A-Thon sends grown-ups and kids to the arena behind Horseshoe Las Vegas for live shows filled with combat between famous bots like Witch Doctor, Whiplash, HyperShock and more.

Aquariums, Museums and Indoor Activities

Shark Reef Aquarium

Located inside Mandalay Bay, Shark Reef Aquarium has been entertaining and educating families for 25 years and counting, with more than 2,000 aquatic animals and underwater species on display. Special attractions at the aquarium include a shipwreck filled with friendly fish, diving alongside sharks, a touch pool featuring stingrays, horseshoe crabs and more.

Discovery Children’s Museum and Springs Preserve

Add an educational experience to your Vegas trip with a stop at Discovery Children’s Museum — a museum perfect for younger kids with three floors filled with fun, adventure and hands-on learning about art, science, food and more. Meanwhile, Springs Preserve provides learning in the great outdoors for a breath of fresh air.

Free and Low-Cost Things to Do with Kids

Bellagio, Downtown Container Park and Ethel M

Lots of Las Vegas attractions can be experienced for free or minimal cost. For example, the Bellagio Resort & Casino is famous for its outdoor fountain shows, which delight the public for free every 30 or 15 minutes daily. (Check the hotel’s website for official hours of operation, as times vary.)

In addition to boutique shopping, Downtown Container Park in downtown Las Vegas is filled with live family-friendly entertainment like the Mantis fire show and drum circle as well as The Treehouse, Playground and Pixel Room, all of which are free of charge.

Meanwhile, Ethel M’s Chocolates is home to Nevada’s largest and most well-known Botanical Cactus Garden with over 300 species of desert plants thriving on three acres of family-friendly landscape.

Tips for Visiting Las Vegas with Kids

• Always be sure to check age, height and weight rules for all family-friendly attractions.
• Verify operating hours depending on the time of your visit to Las Vegas.
• Always reserve timed-entry attractions in advance when recommended.
• Be sure to plan indoor activities in times of extreme heat, particularly if you’re visiting Las Vegas in the summer months.
• Allow appropriate travel time between the Strip and off-Strip activities, and research renting a vehicle, using rideshares or taxis for your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Las Vegas with kids?

The best things to do in Las Vegas with kids depend on individual interests, kids’ ages, budget and other considerations. However, many shows, attractions, museums, and sightseeing stops offer fun for the whole family.

What can families do for free in Las Vegas?

Las Vegas offers a plethora of free and low-cost activities for families, including the water show at the Fountains of Bellagio, live entertainment and activities at the Downtown Container Park, outdoor exploration at Ethel M’s Botanical Cactus Garden and more.

Are Las Vegas shows suitable for children?

Always check age recommendations when purchasing tickets for Las Vegas events ahead of your trip. However, lots of Las Vegas shows are great for the entire family, including Tournament of Kings, Jabbawockeez and Cirque du Soleil shows like Mystère and KA.