When you think of things to do in Las Vegas with kids, you might not immediately be able to think of any child-appropriate activities – they named it Sin City after all.
Las Vegas is actually awash with family-friendly things to do (if you know where to look). From educational museums to adrenaline-fuelled adventures and outdoorsy day trips, there’s plenty to keep your youngsters entertained.
Read on for the best things to do in Las Vegas with kids and get ready for an unforgettable trip! There’s also a section devoted entirely to free family things to do in Vegas. Don’t miss it!
1. Go for a spin on the LINQ High Roller
Photo by Tim Trad on Unsplash
You can’t miss the LINQ High Roller. Despite the casino reference, the High Roller is actually the city’s enormous family-friendly Ferris wheel. It’s a perfect opportunity to get postcard-perfect views of Las Vegas.
Rotate 360° up and around, reaching a height of 167 meters in one of 28 air-conditioned cabins. You’ll have the ideal view of the Las Vegas Strip below, as well as the surrounding mountains and plains.
2. Take the fast track for a ride on the FlyLINQ Zipline
Right next door to the High Roller, you’ll see people flying through the air on the FlyLINQ Zipline. This one’s perfect for adventurous kids, allowing them to zoom 114 feet off the ground across Las Vegas’ LINQ promenade.
Fast-track tickets allow you to skip the lines (you can wait over an hour if you don’t book in advance). All the safety gear and briefings are included, so all you need to do is sit back, hold your arms out and soar giddily along the zipline.
You can combine the FlyLINQ Zipline with the High Roller to save money!
3. Get up close to the animals at SeaQuest Las Vegas
Photo by SeaQuest Las Vegas
Travel around the world one animal at a time at SeaQuest. The kids will love how close they can get to the animals with tickets for this popular Vegas experience.
There are 1,000+ creatures in zones that replicate habitats from around the globe. From Iceland to the Egyptian desert, you’ll meet turtles, otters, sharks, parrots, lizards, and many more fascinating critters.
There are touch pools and hands-on activities to really keep the kids engaged, and you can stock up on feeding tokens to make sure the animals are well fed.
4. Go back in time at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum
Nevada is a goldmine for natural history. Everything from dinosaurs to fang-bearing mountain lions have called the Battleborn State home over thousands of years, and the kids will be fascinated by the exhibits on show at Las Vegas’ hidden gem natural history museum.
There are real dino fossils and skeletons, and an animatronic tyrannosaurus rex. Get stuck into geology and Egyptology, see iconic American animals frozen in pose, and try out daily family activities like shark feedings, expert talks, and more at this Smithsonian-accredited museum.
5. Go for gold at Pole Position Raceway
Unfortunately for young speed demons, street racing is still illegal and children can’t get driving licenses. Until that changes, go-karting is the next best thing.
At Pole Position Raceway in Las Vegas, you can get a two or three-race package for kids that allows them to reach speeds of 45 mph on a safe and expertly marshaled track.
These electric go-karts race around the track, with 10-12 laps of fun per race. Whether you’re racetrack professionals or tarmac novices, the expert staff will see to it that you have a great time.
6. Combine activities and save money with the Las Vegas Family Fun Pass
The Las Vegas Family Fun Pass combines visits to SeaQuest Las Vegas, The Las Vegas Natural History Museum, and Pole Position Raceway.
Not only will you save money on individual tickets, but you’ll also be able to redeem a 10% discount on all Tiqets’ other Las Vegas attractions.
7. Climb the Eiffel Tower – yes, really!
Why build something unique when you can just replicate one of the world’s most iconic landmarks?
The Eiffel Tower Experience in Las Vegas gives you and your kids the opportunity to speed up in a glass elevator to the top of a slightly scaled-down version of Gustave Eiffel’s world-famous tower.
It’s 460 feet up to the summit, and from there you’ll enjoy one of the best views of the city. The kids will love the nighttime light show, illuminating the tower in red, white, and blue (you can catch this for free if you’re not looking to scale the tower).
8. Trace mafia history at The Mob Museum
We know what you’re thinking – how can the history of the United States’ most notorious criminals be appropriate for your sweet darlings?
While it’s not recommended for little ones, older children and teenagers will have a blast learning about the history of organized crime and law enforcement through multi-sensory exhibits at The Mob Museum.
It’s not just about famous gangsters (although you will hear about everyone from Al Capone to El Chapo). You can also scan your fingerprints, do lab analysis on bullet casings, and delve into the illegal wildlife trade through really engaging activities.
9. See inside Real Bodies at Bally’s
It’s what’s on the inside that counts – very literally in the case of the Real Bodies exhibit. Science meets jaw-dropping entertainment at Bally’s, where you’ll get an incredible insight into how our bodies work through real human specimens.
That’s right – real bodies, real organs, up close and personal. Delve into life, death, health, nutrition, and more in a thought-provoking way. It’s an enlightening experience, but maybe more suitable for teenagers than toddlers!
10. Take your pick with the Go City: Las Vegas Explorer Pass
One of the best ways to explore Las Vegas with kids is with the Go City: Las Vegas Explorer Pass.
This all-inclusive, value-for-money pass gives you the freedom to choose the best kid-friendly attractions for you and your family with almost 50 options. Pick a pass with 3, 4, 5, or 7 included activities depending on your budget and itinerary.
Favorites with kids include the action-packed Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N and the epic Hunger Games Exhibition. Venture to Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat, take a thrill ride on the Big Apple Roller Coaster, put your heads together to make it out of the Number One Escape Room, and loads more.
11. Join a mind-blowing Grand Canyon excursion
The Grand Canyon is just two-and-a-half hours from Las Vegas, making it perfect for an outdoorsy day tour from the city. Join a full day’s expedition with a professional driver and take in one of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders as a family!
With options including a guided visit to the South Rim and a VIP small-group tour, the kids will see the best of the Grand Canyon National Park, including Bright Angel Lodge, Mather Point, Yavapai Point, the National Geographic Visitor Center, and more. You can even choose to add a helicopter tour over Dragon’s Corridor!
12. See the sights with the Las Vegas Exploration Game
For a cheap and cheerful few hours exploring the Strip, download the Last Vegas Strip Exploration Game. For the cost of a milkshake, you can solve clues and riddles that’ll take you past some of the city’s best sights.
Move from location to location as you put yourself in the shoes of an aspiring musician looking to make it big in Vegas. It’s fun, challenging, and one of the easiest things to do in Las Vegas with kids in tow.
13. See the world in 5D at Flyover Las Vegas
Feel like you’re flying around the globe at Flyover Las Vegas. This really is one of the best ways to spend a couple of hours with the kids, allowing you to strap in and soar across awe-inspiring landscapes.
You can opt between immersive experiences of The Real Wild West and Iceland: Land of Fire and Ice, enjoying incredible visuals while feeling the wind, mist, and heat of real-life locations. Visit vast meadows, volcanos, mountaintops, and flowing rivers without ever leaving the Strip!
14. Cruise around on the Las Vegas Hop-on Hop-off Bus
To really get a feel of Las Vegas, a ticket for the hop-on hop-off bus is a great start.
Cruise around town with free WiFi and multiple routes to get your bearings, and discover all the most important attractions. You can see everything from the ”Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas” sign to lavish hotels and shopping areas and the most popular sights.
The kids will really enjoy the night bus – there are few better ways to see the city at its glittering best than from the top of an open-top bus after dark.
15. Meet your favorite stars at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas
You might spot Katy Perry getting married, but otherwise, your chances of spotting real-life celebrities in Vegas are pretty slim. Instead, take the kids to Madame Tussauds and brush shoulders with wax versions of the planet’s most famous people.
It’s not just waxworks anymore. Madame Tussauds has become a much more immersive attraction over the years. Watch the Marvel Superheroes in 4D, ride Miley Cyrus’ wrecking ball, and more. It’s perfect for selfie-hungry teens!
16. Light up the ‘Gram at the Museum of Dream Space Las Vegas
The Museum of Dream Space (MODS) is one of the most mesmerizing things to do with kids in Las Vegas. This is no regular museum – it’s a space to immerse yourself in art, color, sound, and light.
Based on Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s world-renowned infinity rooms, the kids will walk around the exhibits with eyes wide and full of intrigue. This open museum space is full of atmosphere and makes for an unforgettable experience – it’s a true Vegas hidden gem.
17. Get value for money with the Las Vegas Attractions Pack
If you want to combine three of the best things to do in Las Vegas, The Las Vegas Attractions Pack is for you.
This money-saving ticket gets you access to The LINQ High Roller observation wheel, Madame Tussauds, and the Las Vegas Hop-on Hop-off Bus. Not only do you save money and time by purchasing a combo ticket, but the kids will also get to see loads of the city.
18. Test your mettle with Skyjump Las Vegas
Obviously jumping off a 24-story building might not be for everyone’s young children, but if your kids are aged 14 or over, then what better family activity than leaping from the tallest building in Las Vegas?
Extremely fun but totally safe, this decelerator experience is certified as a Guinness World Record holder in terms of height – just look at the views on offer in the video above. Make sure to look around when you’re at the top because you’ll be too busy screaming on the way down to take in the pretty landscapes!
19. Visit a theme park in the sky with the STRAT SkyPod Experience
If you don’t like the idea of jumping off the tallest freestanding observation tower in the US, there are other ways the kids can enjoy the sky-high atmosphere.
Tickets for the STRAT Skypod experience give you access to the observation deck for an awesome view of the city, as well as to thrill rides at 1,149 feet. Dangle and spin off the side of the building on Insanity, hang weightlessly above the Strip on X-Scream, and be shot 160 feet into the sky on Big Shot.
20. Get lost in VR at Omni Arena Virtual Reality
Double up with this combo ticket that includes both entry to Pole Position Raceway and VR fun at the Omni Arena Virtual Reality experience.
This ticket gets you three pedal-to-the-metal races on the electric go-kart track, plus a pirate-roleplaying, zombie-battling VR experience, plus a free video of your gameplay. The kids will be well and truly funned out by the time they’ve got through all that!
21. Combine education and hypnotizing fun at Arcadia Earth Las Vegas
Something for the whole family, Arcadia Earth is a multi-sensorial installation on an enormous scale. Take the kids on a journey through underwater kingdoms and fantastic worlds, soaking up light and color in a free-to-explore setting.
Arcadia Earth makes climate education fun – explore planet Earth in augmented reality and virtual reality, with animals so close you can almost touch them. Learn about the struggles facing the planet in an edutaining way. The installations are made from upcycled materials – the Rainbow Room is constructed from more than 60,000 single-use plastic bags!
At the end of each section, interactive stations give you tips on making the most of your new-found knowledge in your everyday life.
22. Trace dollhouse history with the Barbie: A Cultural Icon Exhibition
Wisconsin’s most famous export, Barbie, is a pop-culture icon that’s delighted children the world over. If your kids are into their dollhouse chic, Barbie A Cultural Icon Exhibition is exclusive to Las Vegas and is a great way to spend an hour.
Trace the evolution of Barbie over the last 60 years, seeing dolls of all shapes, sizes and styles. See the original Barbie from 1959, peer inside an authentic Barbie Dreamhouse, and discover how Barbie has been influenced by her fans’ loves, trends, and cultural touchstones across the decades.
23. Get a sense of history with a Hoover Dam tour
Just 40 minutes outside of Las Vegas, a trip to the historic Hoover Dam makes for a great family excursion.
This half-day express tour sees you get the lowdown on the history of this impressive manmade structure from a guide, plus free time to see the visitor center, monuments and gift shop.
There are plenty of vistas and lookouts to enjoy during the tour, plus you’ll stop at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign on the way home – remember your camera!
24. Tire the kids out with the Las Vegas Adrenaline Bundle
The Las Vegas Adrenaline Bundle is for thrill-seeking kids (the ones who take a lot more effort to tire out – we’ve got you covered, mom and dad).
This combo saves you a little cash and gets you entry to both FlyLinq Zipline and Skyjump from the Stratosphere Tower. Whether they’re flying forwards or plummeting downwards, the kids will have a memorable and adrenaline-pumping experience.
25. See the glitz from above with a nighttime helicopter ride
As you might expect, a helicopter ride over the Las Vegas strip doesn’t come cheap. But it’s totally worth it. This is an experience you and the kids will never forget.
Up to six of you can fly high above the neon glow of the city in a way that’ll have your kids open-mouthed. Nothing says Viva Las Vegas quite like this! A friendly pilot will let you know what to look out for as you fly, pointing out famous monuments, hotels, and casinos.
26. Visit the Neon Museum to see where Vegas signs end up
You’ve probably never wondered where the signs and monuments lining the Las Vegas strip end up when they flicker and die. The answer is the Neon Museum, a free-to-roam space that’s become a kind of desert graveyard for the inanimate former stars of Sin City.
It goes without saying that this illuminated mausoleum is perfect if you and the kids want some epic photos to take home. It’s best visited at night, but it’s a flash flood of color during the day too!
27. Take on the rides at Adventuredome Theme Park
The Adventuredome is an enormous indoor amusement park just off the Las Vegas Strip. It’s an easy win for parents – grab your tickets and let the kids loose inside a five-acre fun park.
Everything your kids and teens could want is inside. The Adventure dome boasts rollercoasters, rides, activities, shows, miniature golf, a VR room, a 4D theater, and loads more. It’s undoubtedly home to some of the best kids activities in Las Vegas.
28. Make a splash at Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas (seasonal)
Visiting during the summer months? Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas is a splashtastic time. Just 20 minutes from the Strip, it’s easy to grab your swimming costumes and hustle the kids out to the park.
You know the drill – slides, slides, and more slides. If flying down Tornado or Canyon Cliffs doesn’t do it for you, then there are also gentler rides and spaces for tiny kids to splash about in like Paradise Falls and Kiddie Cove.
29. Make another one at Cowabunga Bay (seasonal)
So you’re really into waterparks? Well, here’s another one! Cowabunga Bay is full to the brim with one-of-a-kind water slides and loads of pools paddle about in. There are tube slides, raft slides, and body slides, with thrill levels to suit all ages.
There’s a wave pool, a lazy river, and even some chilled out pools for moms and dads to regain their strength. All the usual amenities are available, and there’s even an air-conditioned arcade!
30. Delve into the deep at Shark Reef Aquarium
Over at Mandalay Bay, Shark Reef Aquarium is the perfect spot for the kids to spend a few hours mesmerized by marine life. Despite the name, sharks aren’t the only creatures on display here. Shark Reef Aquarium is home to almost 2,000 animals!
In one visit you’ll see giant rays, turtles, snapping piranhas, and plenty of shark species. There are also options to feed the animals, and even dive with the sharks if you’re a certified diver.
Free things to do in Las Vegas with kids
Vegas isn’t known for being cheap, but it turns out there are loads of Vegas attractions for kids that won’t break the bank. Check out the list of free things to do in Las Vegas with kids below, and add some cost-free entertainment to your trip.
31. Explore the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
Wander around the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel to see beautiful birds in their four-acre gardens. It’s a real treat for little ones, who’ll get to see flamingos, other exotic birds, turtles, and fish while taking in the gentle streams and waterfalls.
32. Look for sweet treats at Hershey’s Chocolate World
A tour of Hershey’s Chocolate World is completely free if you can manage the kids’ cocoa expectation on the way round. There are paid activities inside (the chocolate is eye-wateringly expensive) but just soaking up the vibe and enjoying the 800 lb chocolate Statue of Liberty won’t cost you a penny.
33. Wow at the incredible dancing Bellagio Fountains
Watch the Bellagio Fountains do their merry dance outside the Bellagio Hotel. This fully choreographed performance is a sight to behold and is free to watch. The show takes place every 30 minutes, so just mosey on over to take a look!
34. Wander the tranquil Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
While you’re there, take in the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, another free offering at the Bellagio Hotel. The 14,000-square-foot botanical garden changes five times a year depending on the season, with a special event for the lunar new year. The kids will dig the colorful displays made of thousands of flowers and plants, and the fresh flowery scents are delightful.
35. Watch acrobats fly with Circus Circus performances
Every day there are free circus performances at Circus Circus. The shows only last about 15 minutes, but if you’re in the market for acrobatics without Cirque du Soleil prices, head on over to the center stage at Circus Circus’ Carnival Midway.
36. Visit the famous Seven Magic Mountains
We’re directing you to an interstate south of Las Vegas, but it’s better than it sounds. Back in 2016, Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone installed his Seven Magic Mountains close to Jean Dry Lake and Interstate 15, and it’s become so popular that it’s outlasted an initial two-year permit.
These pillars of stacked rocks are just 10 miles outside the city, and their luminous colors shine against the rusty Nevada backdrop. There are no tickets, no entrance fees, just good ol’ mysterious desert art where you and the kids can get your photo fix.
37. Treehouse and Play Zone at the Container Park
Need a break from the heat, or maybe even the kids? Container Park is an open-air shopping area, with plenty of shade overlooking the Treehouse and Play Zone. Let the kids run wild inside while you enjoy a well-deserved rest and maybe even a cheeky mojito.
The Play Zone itself includes a huge slide and some games to keep the kids fully engrossed. This is a great option when you need an hour to catch your breath between activities.
38. Watch the volcanic eruption at the Mirage Hotel
If you’re a big fan of fire and drums, you’ll love the Volcano Show outside the Mirage Hotel. You’ll be able to watch the choreographed performance of faux fire and brimstone for free – it’s one of the most popular free things to do in Las Vegas, and the kids will be transfixed.
39. Treat yourself to a look around the Ethel M Chocolate Factory
Self-guided tours of the Ethel M Chocolate Factory are completely free, making for a great family outing in Las Vegas. You’ll hopefully see chocolatiers creating Ethel M’s famous chocolates and caramels, and you can then head outside to walk through one of the largest cactus gardens in America.
40. Meet the Mermaids of the Silverton Hotel
The Mermaids at the Silverton Hotel & Casino have been delighting guests for years, and it’s one of the unmissable free things to do in Las Vegas with kids. You can walk all around their 117,000-gallon home and interact with them through the glass. Your little ones will be in awe!
41. Salute a different red, white, and blue with the Eiffel Tower Light Show
As the sun goes down and the lights come on in Las Vegas, the Eiffel Tower Light Show at The Paris gets going with performances every 30 minutes. See the red, white, and blue of the Tricolore sparkle into life as fountains spray at the base. It’s completely free and a great way to keep the kids’ eyes fixed for a few minutes.
