11 Things to Do in Las Vegas With Kids

Updated On October 8, 2023

Las Vegas, also known as “Sin City”, is one of the most unique and diverse places on Earth.

It’s one of the country’s top tourist destinations.

Known not only for its world-class gambling but also for its luxury and A-list entertainment.

Over 300 couples are married here each day, making it the number-one wedding destination in the U.S.

Las Vegas means “the meadows” in Spanish, and was named such by explorer Rafael Rivera in 1821.

At the time, the area was full of grassy fields fed by underground springs.

Over the years, the springs dried up and the lush grasses turned into the desert we know today.

Cut to present-day Las Vegas, the strip has about 30 high-end hotels and casinos and is literally the brightest spot on the planet.

Vegas is also home to the world’s largest hotel, The MGM Grand, which houses 4 pools and 170,000 square feet of casino space.

Altogether, Las Vegas has over 150,000 hotel rooms.

Known almost as much for its delicious food as it is for gambling, visitors to the city consume more seafood than any other place in America.

Despite what you may think, Las Vegas is not just an adult playground full of casinos, bars, and clubs.

It has a softer, more family-oriented side as well.

Read on for some great things to do with kids in Las Vegas.

11 Things To Do In Las Vegas With Kids

M & M's World
M&M’s World

1. M&M World – Las Vegas, Nevada

If you love M&Ms, definitely plan a stop at M&M World.

The Las Vegas store is the first one of its kind in the United States.

There are over 28,000 square feet and 4 floors of candy-shelled goodness to be had.

Keep in mind, it’s primarily a sore, but there is a lot to see.

You can also make your own, one-of-a-kind candy, choosing from colors that are only available in Las Vegas.

There are memorabilia and colorful displays. It’s a nice pit stop on your way to lunch or another activity.

Mandalay Bay Beach
Mandalay Bay Beach

2. Mandalay Bay Beach – Las Vegas, Nevada

Open 7 days a week from 9 AM to 6 PM, you don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to enjoy the facility.

The 11-acre water playground includes a 1.6 million-gallon wave pool, a lazy river, and a lagoon for swimming and tubing.

You can take a break and eat at the Beach Bar restaurant.

Cabanas are also available to rent and include flat-screen televisions, mini-fridges stocked with water, an overhead fan, a safe, lounge chairs, and phone chargers.

If you don’t want to get a cabana, there are plenty of free chairs too.

Bellagio Conservatory And Botanical Garden
Bellagio Conservatory And Botanical Garden

3. Bellagio Conservatory And Botanical Garden – Las Vegas, Nevada

This amazing 14,000-square-foot garden employs over 120 gardeners.

Open year-round (except on “dark days” when displays are changed), this is one of Las Vegas’s most iconic attractions. Observe the natural wonder under the 50-foot-high ceiling and prepare to be stunned by the 28-foot-tall sculpture of Mother Nature

The displays are changed 5 times a year and are themed around the seasons, so it’s always a surprise as to what flowers and other flora will be on view.

This past summer, for example, visitors were stupefied by over 20,000 roses arranged around 160,000 succulents, and over 10,000 purple and white flowers on Wisteria trees.

It’s a peaceful oasis in the middle of a busy desert town.

High Roller Observation Wheel
High Roller Observation Wheel

4. High Roller Observation Wheel – Las Vegas, Nevada

Fly 550 feet above the Las Vegas Strip in your own luxury capsule.

The High Roller Wheel is not your average Ferris wheel.

It’s got 28 spacious cabins that give you a 360-degree view.

There’s room for the whole family to walk around or sit and relax.

The wheel is the largest of its kind in North America.

Everyone is welcome to bring a beverage and snack for the excursion, which takes about 30 minutes.

For adult-only groups, there is a bar service available that comes along for the ride.

Shark Reef Aquarium
Shark Reef Aquarium

5. Shark Reef Aquarium – Las Vegas, Nevada

Open 7 days a week from 10 AM until 8 PM, Shark Reef Aquarium has over 2,000 animals the kids will adore.

Located in the Mandalay Bay Hotel, it’s a great break from the water if you are spending the day at the hotel’s water attraction.

Visitors will travel through the shark tunnel, where they’ll be surrounded by glass and different species of sharks on the other side.

View the main tank, which has 1.3 million gallons of water, and is one of the largest in the country.

Go out onto the full-size replica of a shipwreck to see even more marine life, or take a special tour and swim with the sharks.

It takes about 90 minutes to see everything in the aquarium.

Hershey's Chocolate World
Hershey’s Chocolate World

6. Hershey’s Chocolate World – Las Vegas, Nevada

Located in the New York hotel, Hershey World offers over 800 types of iconic candy, in over 13,000 square feet of space. You’ll find exclusive Hershey products, gifts, and treats.

Check out the Statue Of Liberty model that’s made out of 800 pounds of Hershey chocolate.

Kids can make their own custom bars and star in their own Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup TV ad.

There are beautiful displays made from bright candies, some memorabilia, and art-filled walls made from tasty treats.

Be sure to visit the bake shop that’s chock full of tasty homemade treats (made from Hershey’s chocolate, of course).

Chocolate World is open 7 days a week.

Tournament Of Kings
Tournament Of Kings

7. Tournament Of Kings – Las Vegas, Nevada

You can find this exciting family-friendly dinner theater inside the Excalibur Hotel.

Adapted from the story of King Arthur, this live-action production takes place in a 900-seat theater in the round.

Cheer on your teams of knights as they joust, sword fight, and gallop about on majestic horses.

Watch professional pyrotechnics explode before you.

Feast with your hands (you can have a fork if you must) on succulent hen, sweet potatoes, corn, rolls, and cookies.

Everyone will have fun with the knights and maidens.

Cowabunga Canyon
Cowabunga Canyon

8. Cowabunga Canyon – Las Vegas, Nevada

This premiere water park is a must on a hot day in Las Vegas.

Older kids can go on exciting rides like The Lone Ranger (raft ride), tube slides, body slides, Boomer Wrangler (multi-person tube), and a lazy river.

Smaller kids can spend time at the 10,500 square-foot play center, with slides just their size, spray guns, geysers, and tipping buckets.

There are plenty of shaded areas, cabanas for rent, and misters to cool if when taking in the sun.

Concession stands and gift shops are available.

The park is open daily from May through October.

Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum
Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum

9. Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum – Las Vegas, Nevada

Kids and adults will be amazed at the craftsmanship and realistic representation of some of the world’s most well-known celebrities done in wax.

Upon your arrival, you can choose from 5 zones including Club Tussaud, Sports, Music, and Viva Las Vegas. Get up close and personal with The Kardashians and Beyoncé.

Take a selfie with Babe Ruth or Elvis.

There are even wax figures of Ozzy Osbourne and Frank Sinatra.

The museum is open from 10 AM until 8 PM daily.

Fun Dungeon
Fun Dungeon

10. Fun Dungeon – Las Vegas, Nevada

Open daily from 12 PM until 11 PM, kids will have no fear of entering this dungeon.

They can test their skills with an array of classic and modern arcade games.

Go between 10 Carnival Midways, 10 sports games, 10 kiddie games, and over 100 games that will give tickets for prize redemption.

Be sure to try the King Kong virtual reality game and the Slam n Jam basketball game.

Before leaving, stop by the Dairy Queen Orange Julius shop for a sweet treat.

Discovery Children's Museum
Discovery Children’s Museum

11. Discovery Children’s Museum – Las Vegas, Nevada

If you’re looking for a kid-centered place to beat the Las Vegas heat, Discovery Children’s Museum is the perfect place.

Start your visit to the lab.

The first of its kind in Nevada, it’s a hands-on workspace that’s equipped with design plans and equipment like CAD software and 3D printers.

Kids can design and create a number of items.

Then move on to The Summit, a 70-foot-tall tower full of interactive exhibits.

Next, be sure to check out Fantasy Festival, where kids can dress up and board a full-size pirate ship or explore a Medieval castle.

Other exhibits include Eco-City, Young-At-Art, and Water World.

Las Vegas Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Las Vegas Safety Review

Safety Index:
62
  • OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
  • TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
  • PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
  • NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
  • MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
  • TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
  • SCAMS RISK: LOW
  • WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be packed for a trip to Las Vegas with kids?

Sunglasses, hats, and lots of sunscreens are a must.

Kids should also have comfortable walking shoes and a bathing suit.

Make sure they have a reusable water bottle and a few toys and books.

Don’t forget medication and some over-the-counter pain relievers.

What are the best hotels to stay at in Las Vegas with kids?

While most places welcome kids, some just have better amenities for them, like pools and play areas, and even babysitting.

Some of the most kid-friendly hotels include Treasure Island, Hilton Grand, Grandview, and Desert Rose Resort.

What's the time to go exploring and sightseeing with kids in Las Vegas?

You should head out as early as possible.

Not only because the heat gets worse as the day goes on, but you’re also less likely to run into situations and displays that you may not want kids to see.

Can kids go into the casinos?

No.

They can’t even stand near the tables or machines.

You can walk through the casino with them on the way to somewhere else.

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