90+ Things to Do With Kids in Las Vegas – (…There’s a lot)

Known as an adult playground, Las Vegas has more kid-friendly things to do and see than most people realize.

As I type this, I’m planning a trip for my family, which includes an 11 & 14-year-old, giving me a unique perspective to share everything “Sin City” has to offer families.

For the purposes of this activity guide, I’ll start on the south Strip and move north before heading downtown and off-Strip (where the magic is, tbh).

Activities On The Strip

Pinball Hall of Fame: Boasting a new location right on the Strip, the Pinball Hall of Fame is 10,000 square feet of pinball machines from the 1950s to the 1990s.

While entry is free, you’ll want to bring plenty of quarters.

Full disclosure, though… keep your kids under control. They’ve had enough.

Shark Reef Aquarium: Found at Mandalay Bay, the Shark Reef Aquarium features over 200 varieties of sea life, including sharks.

The aquarium allows you to “Walk the seafloor” in glass tunnels, touch real sea life, and see more sharks than you can count.

Swingers Crazy Golf: While it opened as an adult-only venue, Swingers now allows kids during the day. A 9-hole round of mini golf takes 15-20 minutes, and I thought the entire experience (golf, carnival, food & drink) was overpriced.

It was also insanely loud.

Since my visit, it appears they’ve transitioned to an all-you-can-golf format for the same price, which improves the value proposition significantly if it sticks.

Suggestion: Take the kids to PopStroke instead. It’s quieter, less crowded, and a great deal, as it it’s all-you-can-golf.

Upgrade Your Pool: You’re not confined to your resort pool. Kid-friendly options include the pools at MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay, each with a lazy river.

All Caesars Entertainment pools are open to the public now, too, including the Garden of the Gods at Caesars Palace.

Titanic Artifact Exhibition: Another educational attraction at Luxor, the Titanic Artifact Exhibit features 250 real artifacts recovered from the wreck site which includes “The Big Piece”, pictured below.

The personal items and stories behind actual Titanic passengers make this exhibit hit home.

Bodies the Exhibition at Luxor: A nearly identical attraction to the one above at Horseshoe, Bodies the Exhibition can be found on the south end of the Strip at Luxor and features 13 whole-body specimens and 260+ organs.

Discovering King Tut’s Tomb: A new attraction at the Egyptian-themed Luxor, Discovering King Tut’s Tomb allows guests to re-live Howard Carter’s career-defining discovery.

HyperX Esports Arena: Attention, video game enthusiasts! Luxor’s Esports arena hosts both scheduled tournaments and pay-by-the-hour gameplay.

Vintage consoles like Atari, Sega, NES, etc. are also available for play.

Play Playground at Luxor: Kids 13+ are now allowed inside Luxor’s Play Playground before 7pm (6pm is last entry). Previously, it had been adult-only.

Inside are 20+ easy-to-understand, legit fun games and free activities like a room full of beach balls, a spiraling slide, and a bounce house. A $37 play pass allows you to play 12 games, and I thought it was a blast.

Fun Dungeon Arcade at Excalibur: The arcade at Excalibur features over 200 games, including the world’s largest Pac-Man, carnival-style midway games, and Smash Air Hockey, among others. 

New York New York Roller Coaster: Full transparency, this roller coaster is rough. It’s also a lot of fun, but you may need to enter the concussion protocol after your ride.

Traveling at speeds of up to 67 mph, the ride offers great views of the Strip, and I attest to its awesomeness. I’m in pain just thinking about it. 

The Big Apple Arcade at New York New York: While New York New York’s arcade isn’t the biggest in Las Vegas, it is packed with a nice variety of modern-feeling games and is steps away from the Big Apple Coaster’s boarding area.

Hershey’s Chocolate World at NYNY: Located along NYNY’s Strip facade, Hershey’s World is stocked with a wide-ranging assortment of chocolates, decadent desserts, milkshakes, candy-branded apparel, and more.

Topgolf: Located behind MGM Grand, Topgolf is a driving range on steroids. The Las Vegas version offers 4 levels of hitting bays with Strip views.

Virtual Reality at MGM Grand: Players will choose from a handful of VR game options and compete for 30 minutes. The VR arena is a 2,000-square-foot room that transforms into a virtual world once the headset is on.

The FRIENDS Experience at MGM Grand: A new attraction, FRIENDS is packed with photo opportunities, props, costumes, and set recreations from the hit show.

I recently stopped in and thought the set recreations & photo opportunities were spectacular.

FlyOver Vegas: Explore the western United States from above at FlyOver Vegas, an attraction that suspends guests in a bank of seats over a 52.5-foot spherical screen.

In addition to seat movements that simulate flight, simulated wind and the smells of nature will stimulate your other senses.

Taste Test at the Coca-Cola Store: Buy the sampler tray of popular sodas from various countries around the world at the Coca-Cola Store. You’ll learn that popular flavors from around the world don’t always agree with our palate.

Arte Museum: Nestled between Crystals and Cosmopolitan is the Arte Museum, another immersive attraction that combines art with digital technology.

While I was underwhelmed by Arte Museum at the price point, your kids will likely enjoy creating their own animal which is then featured in one of the displays.

Museum of Illusions: Nestled along the walkway connecting Cosmopolitan and Crystals, the Museum of Illusions features optical illusions ranging from wall art to displays that incorporate guests themselves.

I recently stopped by and thought it was a great value for adults and kids both.

Princess Diana: A Tribute Exhibition: A museum attraction inside Crystals (near Aria), Princess Diana: A Tribute Exhibition allows guests to view various artifacts from her life.

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: Found within The Shops at Crystals, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition will appeal to a very specific subset of children: Artistic geniuses.

Inside are the 34 frescoes that make up the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, along with The Last Judgment mural.

I thought it was a tad boring, but I may not be the target audience.

Find a Hidden Pizza Place: Your kids like “Where’s Waldo”, right? If so, they’ll love the “insider” feeling of finding the hidden pizza joint at Cosmo dubbed “Secret Pizza”.

The slice will impress too, making my list of the best pizza by the slice joints in Vegas.

Dive-in Movies at Cosmo’s Boulevard Pool: On Monday nights during the summer, Cosmopolitan plays popular movies like “The Karate Kid” and “Back to the Future” on their Boulevard Pool marquee.

Hotel guests get in for free; non-guests pay $15.

Mini Golf: While there are only a few options to play mini-golf in Las Vegas, the ones that exist are aesthetically impressive.

The “Twilight Zone” themed mini-golf course at Horseshoe is a product of Monster Mini Golf and features a blacklight-fueled visual feast for the eyes.

REAL Bodies at Horseshoe: Education doesn’t have to be boring. REAL Bodies at Horseshoe is home to over 200 human body specimens used to educate visitors on how the human body works.

It’s nearly identical to the Bodies attraction at Luxor. I prefer Luxor’s by a hair.

ARCADE at Horseshoe: Located in Horseshoe’s former sportsbook space is an arcade with 80 total games that include classics like pinball and skeeball in addition to more modern offerings.

While it isn’t the biggest arcade in Vegas, Horseshoe’s ARCADE is certainly the nicest & most modern feeling option.

See Robots Battle to the Death: See robots like “Witch Doctor”, “Kraken”, and “Whiplash” engage in combat live daily at Battlebots Destruct-A-Thon at Horseshoe.

The live show is a spinoff of the popular TV series that featured fighting robots. It’s survival of the fittest, and your kids will dig it.

Bellagio Conservatory: A floral display at Bellagio that changes seasonally. Simply stunning. Ensure you take a moment to look up at Chihuly’s “Fiori di Como”, a glass floral display in Bellagio’s hotel lobby as well. 

Bellagio Fountains: The Fountains of Bellagio are free to see and dance to a selection of songs every 15 – 30 minutes, depending on the time of day.   

Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck Experience: Few better ways to introduce the family to Vegas exist than from 46 stories above it all.

I slept on the Eiffel Tower Observation deck for too long – Don’t make the same mistake. The views are unreal.

Paris Eiffel Tower Light Show: Every half hour, from sunset to midnight, Paris’ replica Eiffel Tower puts on a dazzling light show thanks to a recent $1.7 million renovation that added synchronized lighting.

Flamingo’s Wildlife Habitat: The wildlife habitat behind Flamingo near the pool complex is home to pelicans, ring teal ducks, and a flock of Chilean flamingos.

Find Your Way Out of an Escape Room: Located in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, The Escape Game can immerse you in a variety of unique 60-minute-long adventures.

Escape room scenarios include escaping from prison, recovering a stolen painting, finding a stash of gold before the mafia does, and even a “Rugrats” themed quest to find lost toys.

High Roller Observation Wheel: The featured attraction of LINQ’s Promenade, the High Roller reaches 550 feet tall and offers unreal views of the Las Vegas Valley.

FlyLINQ Zipline: FlyLINQ sends riders flying 1,100+ feet from the Strip to the base of the High Roller observation wheel above the LINQ promenade below. While the view isn’t as great as SlotZilla, FlyLINQ costs about half as much.

Brooklyn Bowl: I know, it’s Vegas and you should probably do something you can’t do at home. However, if you are hankering to hit the lanes, Brooklyn’s 32-lane bowling alley is located along the Linq Promenade and has a swankier vibe than your AMF back home.

Visit an ICEBAR: Minus5 Icebar at LINQ is made entirely of ice and is kept at a refreshing 23 degrees Fahrenheit. The bar, walls, decor, chairs, tables, and even the cups are all made of ice.

While your kids will enjoy the mocktails, they’ll also enjoy milling about the room to see the unique decor and sculptures – There’s even a scavenger hunt!

See “Wizard of Oz” at The Sphere: The iconic film “Wizard of Oz” is being screened inside the Sphere, and while I have yet to see it, I loved the show that preceded it called “Postcard From Earth”.

Tickets start at $104 per person, which isn’t cheap, but reviews are off the charts good. In fact, my mother planned an entire trip to Vegas around this, and still raves about the experience.

Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum: See the collection of movie stars, politicians, and musicians in wax form at Venetian.

In addition to wax figurines, Madame Tussauds has added a Virtual Reality attraction that tasks guests with moving around, finding items, and working with a team.

Take a Gondola Ride: Float through the canals of Venice, either indoors or outside, along the Strip at Venetian. Whether you decide to take a spin on a gondola, you need to stroll through the resort and Grand Canal Shops to take in the scenery.

Enjoy an Extreme Dessert: While there are a few different spots to grab a unique, massive, and absurdly over-the-top dessert in Las Vegas, I recommend stopping into Black Tap at Venetian. While their normal milkshakes cost about $12, you can upgrade to a “CrazyShake” for $5-$7 more.

While there are numerous CrazyShake options, the Cakeshake steals the show, topped with a slice of funfetti cake, whipped cream, and a cherry.

Colors of Mexico at the Fashion Show Mall: Just north of TI, the Fashion Show Mall is home to Colors of Mexico, a colorful display that celebrates Mexican culture.

It costs $15 per person, but each person also receives $15 to spend in the restaurant, bar, and/or gift shop at the end – It’s essentially free!

Circus Circus Adventuredome: The Adventuredome at Circus Circus features 5 acres of carnival attractions and thrill rides in climate-controlled comfort.

Welcoming to those of all ages, rides range from tame to extreme.

All-you-can-ride tickets cost $30 or $60, depending on your height.

Circus Circus Midway/Arcade: After spending time at Adventuredome, check out Circus Circus’ Midway & Arcade, which offers both carnival games and an arcade comprised of over 200 games.

This is the biggest arcade in Vegas, and the prize redemption room looks more like a retail store than an arcade.

Circus Circus FREE Circus Acts: The longest-running circus in the world is at Circus Circus and is free to attend and acts run throughout the day, 7 days per week.

Oasis Cinema Club at Fontainebleau: Similar to Cosmopolitan, Fontainebleau also screens movies poolside all summer long.

The full lineup of movies can be scoped out here, but include kid-friendly options like “Finding Nemo”, “Luca”, and “Grease” among others.

Skating at Fontainebleau: During the winter months, a portion of Fontainebleau’s pool deck transforms into the Oasis Ice Rink, which spans 7,500 square feet.

Skating costs $30 ($15 for locals).

Hall of Excellence at Fontainebleau: A museum attraction, the Hall of Excellence costs $35 ($20 for kids) and displays items like Mohammed Ali’s boxing gloves, Oprah’s Presidential Medal of Freedom, and Olympic gold medals.

Tom Brady and Jim Gray curated the collection.

STRAT’s SkyPod: Strat’s observation deck stands tall at 1,149 ft. and boasts 2 rides. Big Shot shoots you straight up, and X-Scream dangles you off the edge of the SkyPod.

The indoor/outdoor observation deck is also amazing in its own right.

Atomic Golf at STRAT: A similar attraction to Topgolf, Atomic Golf is a driving range on “steroids”, with targets on the range to shoot at.

In addition to golf, there’s food, drink, a putting green, and even an “Astrocade”.

Helicopter Tours: I recently took a Maverick Helicopter tour of the Strip, and it blew me away. While I’ve been to Vegas countless times, this view is available nowhere else.

Admire Themed Properties: Resorts like Luxor, Venetian, Excalibur, and Caesars Palace are a marvel to behold for adults. Imagine them through a child’s eyes.

Activities for Kids Downtown Las Vegas

Things to do with kids on Fremont Street (and nearby) are a bit more challenging, but nevertheless, we persist.

Fremont Street Experience Canopy Light Show: Fremont Street’s $34 million renovation of the canopy is complete, and it’s impressive. All 16.4 million overhead pixels sync up to popular music to create a beautiful display nightly.

The Mob Museum: For history buffs, The Mob Museum downtown offers interactive exhibits focused on mob history in Las Vegas and around the country.

The way information is presented is engaging and not at all boring.

Easily one of my favorite family-friendly things to do downtown, provided your kids are old enough to enjoy it.

Container Park: Just blocks away from the Mob Museum is The Container Park, which is home to a number of shops, restaurants, and bars.

Your kids will also enjoy the nightly praying mantis fire shows and the treehouse playground inside the complex.

Additionally, The Container Park frequently makes yard games like cornhole, giant checkers, and giant Legos available at no charge near the events stage.

SlotZilla Zipline on Fremont Street: I recently conquered my fear of heights to take on the SlotZilla Zipline.

It’s a gentle ride, and the (better) Upper Zoom Line is 5 blocks long and launches from 11 stories up.

Explore The Old Mormon Fort: Originally constructed in the mid-1800s, the Old Mormon Fort was the first permanent settlement erected in Las Vegas.

The State Historic Park starts visitors in an indoor museum, where they learn about the site’s rich history before heading outside to explore.

Uniquely, you’ll have the opportunity to see the oldest still-standing structure in the state of Nevada!

Million Dollar Photo Opp at Binion’s: Binion’s popular photo opp disappeared during the pandemic and was absent for a couple of years until making its triumphant return in 2023.

The revamped display is made of real cash (unlike the one at Horseshoe) and lets you take a free digital photo, which is then delivered electronically.

Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum: Reserved for kids 14+ years old with an adult chaperone, the Haunted Museum is located near the Pawn Stars Pawn Shop downtown.

Inside, you’ll find a collection of oddities, macabre items, and haunted artifacts that are sure to give you the creeps.

Visit the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop: Visit the set of the hit History Channel show “Pawn Stars” to shop the items you’ve seen bartered for on TV.

While the stars are rarely at the iconic Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, it’s fun to see where it was filmed and shop show-related merch.

Full disclosure though: This’ll be boring for those who aren’t fans.

Neon Museum: The Neon Museum is home to over 200 vintage neon signs from past incarnations of Las Vegas.

I suggest visiting at night to see The Neon Museum’s “Brilliant! Jackpot” display where projection technology brings the signs back to life.

Kids 17 and under get a discount, while kids 6 and under are free.

The Tank Swimming Pool at Golden Nugget: Not just any pool, The Tank features a 200,000-gallon shark and fish tank as its centerpiece. Better yet, there’s a water slide that goes right through the middle of the shark tank.

Non-guests can swim at GN for a small cover charge on weekdays, but can always swing in to take a look.

Toy Shack: Located in Neonopolis downtown Las Vegas, the Toy Shack was made famous by Pawn Stars and is stocked with figurines, model cars, and so much more.

Things For Kids To Do in Las Vegas Away From The Strip

Discovery Children’s Museum: Near the Fremont Street Experience, kids can explore several engaging exhibits that teach about water power, inventing, experimentation, and more.

Mini Golf at Rio: KISS by Monster Mini Golf is a visual spectacle fueled by blacklights and props that pop scattered throughout the course.

Of course, you’ll be jamming out to a KISS playlist for the duration of your experience.

PopStroke at Town Square: A new, unique twist on mini golf, PopStroke looks and plays like a real-life golf course and even has bunkers (even if they’re just fluffy grass).

A day pass costs $30-$35, depending on the day, but you can play their 2 separate 18-hole courses as much as your heart desires.

In addition to putting courses, they even offer free yard games like cornhole, ping pong, foosball, and even a small playground.

My brother Ike and I stopped in recently and had a blast – PopStroke is a winner.

If you want to save a few bucks getting there, take the Deuce Bus from resorts on the Strip – It drops off right in front of Town Square.

Cowabunga Canyon: Desert summers are hot – Cool off at Cowabunga Canyon (formerly called Wet’n’Wild) which has pools, slides, and a lazy river.

Cowabunga Bay: Another water attraction, Cowabunga Bay is home to waterslides, a lazy river, and a wave pool. The park is located in Henderson and is worth the 20-25 minute drive from mid-Strip resorts if you’re looking to beat the heat.

Natural History Museum: A Smithsonian Affiliate, the Museum of Natural History has numerous fossils and artifacts on display from around the world.

I recently stopped by and found the museum to be underwhelming albeit inexpensive.

Area15: A short Uber ride from the Strip, Area15 is a feast for the eyes. While you can reserve tickets to the Area15 campus for free, you can add additional rides and activities for a fee.

I really dig Area15 and have recently experienced Omega Mart, Cluster by Museum Fiasco, Haley’s Comet, and Wink World.

Indoor Skydiving: You don’t have to jump off a plane or off the Strat’s SkyPod for a thrill. Instead, enjoy a simulated free fall at Las Vegas Indoor Skydiving. The 120 mph winds generated by their 1,000 horsepower fan will still provide a thrill… just closer to the ground.

Take ’em Out to the Ballgame: The Las Vegas Ballpark is a short drive from resorts on the Strip and is home to the Las Vegas Aviators, a minor league affiliate of the Oakland A’s.

While the park offers traditional stadium seating, I suggest catching the game from the grass berm just over the outfield fence.

Tour Allegiant Stadium: Football fans are sure to enjoy a “behind-the-scenes” look at the home of the Las Vegas Raiders. Allegiant Stadium tours include access to the owner’s box, field, and even the locker rooms.

Springs Preserve: Located 3 miles from downtown Las Vegas, Springs Preserve is a 180-acre attraction with botanical gardens, a playground, a splash pad, a butterfly habitat, and several museum attractions that explore the origins and history of Las Vegas.

My favorite thing to explore at Springs Preserve was Boomtown 1905 (pictured below), a recreation of an early 1900s town you can explore.

Tour a Chocolate Factory: The Ethel M chocolate factory in Henderson, a short drive from the Strip, offers self-guided tours of both their chocolate factory and 3-acre cactus garden.

If you’re looking for things to do in Vegas during the winter months, the gardens get dressed up for the holidays!

Clark County Museum: Check out the exhibits at the Clark County Museum, including the “Heritage Street” collection of historic buildings that depict life in early Nevada. Even better, the Museum is free for all to enjoy.

It’s worth the drive if you have a car.

Rex Center: While more popular with locals than tourists, the Rex Center is a short distance from the Strip (behind Wynn) and offers mini-golf, go-karts, laser tag, rock climbing, and axe throwing.

Dig This: For kids 13 and up, Dig This is unique and sure to create lifelong memories. The desert is your canvas to operate heavy equipment like bulldozers and excavators. You’ll dig trenches, push around boulders, stack tires, and roll over rough terrain. Don’t know how to operate heavy equipment? No problem, instructors are on hand to help! 

Pole Position: Indoor go-karts just off the Strip. No need to say more. It’s a blast. Kids do need to be over 48″ tall to participate as a driver, however.

See Silverton’s Mermaids: Watch real mermaids swim in a 117,000-gallon fish tank at Silverton daily. An all-ages show, this is one of the most unique things for kids to do in Vegas.

Hoover Dam: Visiting the Hoover Dam from Las Vegas is a must.

Although it was built nearly 100 years ago, the Dam still “wows.” You can explore the exterior of the Dam for free, but I suggest paying for a guided tour that’ll take you inside this modern marvel.

Full dam tour tickets can only be purchased in person. I recommend arriving when they open to get into one of the first groups.

Explore the Outdoors: Not far from Las Vegas are several “outdoorsy” day trip options with stunning scenery, including Red Rock Canyon, Death Valley, Lake Mead, Valley of Fire, Zion National Park, and the Grand Canyon.

Red Rock Canyon is just 20 minutes from the Strip by car and offers amazing hiking and scenery that kids & adults alike can enjoy.

This is the Ice Box Canyon Trail.

See a Ghost Town: Explore the ruins of St. Thomas, NV, a ghost town that has been submerged under Lake Mead (under 70 ft. of water!) until recently.

I recently made the 1.5-hour drive to the site, which is in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and found it eerie and fascinating!

Kid-Friendly Shows

While I mention a few popular options below, I’ve also put together a full breakdown of kid-friendly shows in Vegas which goes more in-depth.

Popovich Comedy Pet Theater: For animal lovers, this performance incorporates cats, dogs, birds, and other animals into a comedy performance.

I recently saw Comedy Pet Theater and found it to be a great value – Cuteness overload.

Potted Potter at Horseshoe: A hilarious 70-minute parody that takes you through all 7 “Harry Potter” books.

Cirque du Soleil: Cirque shows are the creme de la creme in Las Vegas, featuring daring acrobatics, feats of strength, and stunning visuals.

Magic Acts: Magicians such as Mat Franco at LINQ, Penn and Teller at Rio, or Mac King at Excalibur keep it clean and represent a great option for families.

One of my favorite experiences… that still has me wowed…. was Paranormal Mind Reading Magic at Horseshoe. Tickets were like $30, and it was amazing.

Tournament of Kings at Excalibur: A 3-course dinner show that immerses you in the Middle Ages. Your family will feast as you witness horse-mounted knights defend their honor.

iLuminate at STRAT: Unlike traditional choreographed dance shows, the dancers of iLuminate wear LED illuminated suites, creating a pretty unique visual.