14 Things to Do with Kids in Las Vegas

Wait a minute: are there things to see and do in Las Vegas if you're under 21? You'd be surprised how much this city has to offer. Although most people are attracted to Las Vegas because of its casinos and the whole gambling industry, the truth is that it is possible to visit this city as a family, with young children.

Although when families go to this destination they go on excursions to nearby national parks, this doesn't mean that you can't make a great plan right there, because Las Vegas is one of the entertainment capitals of the country and it is perfectly possible to have a good time with your children.

The rides are perfect for kids and you'll love it when you discover all the rides in Las Vegas. One of the highlights is the High Roller Ferris wheel which, at 170 meters high, is the tallest in all of North America.

Since Las Vegas is a city located in a desert environment, everything is flat and when you go up, you can have some of the best views of Las Vegas. The kids will love it. First, because they will have a view of everything and will be able to recognize different places in the city and also because it is a lot of fun: for an hour, the Ferris wheel makes its entire journey from the time it goes up until it comes back down.

And you still don't know the best part: children under 3 years old ride for free! You can't miss the opportunity to get to know this space together with the kids, so book your tickets for the High Roller Ferris wheel!

Practical information

• Price: about 25 €. Children over 3 years old pay admission.
• Location: 3545 S Las Vegas Blvd, a few meters from Harrah's & The LINQ monorail station.
• Hours: 4:00 p.m. to midnight, but may vary in winter.

Madame Tussauds is a franchise of wax museums that is in many cities around the world, but the one in Las Vegas is special, because it was the first in the United States. All this makes this museum, in addition to showing different figures of celebrities in wax, has a very important story behind it.

Children especially love to see singers and action figures, such as the Hulk or Spiderman, whose size surprises most of them. This is the ideal place to take all the pictures you want of the kids next to the figures.

The museum is located in the Venetian Resort hotel and can be visited all year round. It is best to buy tickets for Madame Tussauds in advance, especially if your visit to the museum will include the 4D movie theater, where your seats can move according to the show.

If you want to discover more about the origins of the universe and contemplate planets and galaxies located millions of light years away, as well as incredible natural scenery of our planet without leaving Las Vegas, the Iluminarium is an experience that both children and adults will enjoy to the fullest.

It is a high quality audiovisual exhibition that includes 4K laser projection and 3D audio and will test your five senses, as you will come to doubt whether you are really traveling through outer space or if it is all part of an alternative and cinematic reality.

Children and adults will have fun while learning more about the earth and outer space, and all from Las Vegas. A plan suitable for all ages!

If you think it's important for your little ones to learn about the earth and its wonders, it's essential for them to learn about themselves and what their thoughts and emotions hide.

The Las Vegas Fantasy Lab is another extraordinary sensory experience that, this time, will take them on a journey to the center of their soul and put their brain to the test with this immersive activity full of stimuli.

Labyrinth, Circus, Stars, Nightmare, Kaleidoscope, Insomnia and Illumination are the 7 spaces where you can test your emotions and connect with your most hidden thoughts and dreams. Dare to live this experience?

The Stratosphere Tower not only offers one of the best views of Las Vegas, as it is the highest observation deck in the entire state of Nevada (it is located 350 meters high) and from which you can see the fantastic and bright skyline of the city of casinos.

Can you imagine a high-tech elevator and speed that runs 108 floors in less than a minute? Live the experience and, if you feel like it, have a cocktail enjoying the view at the Air Bar, an exclusive bar located on the 108th floor of the Stratosphere Tower.

Also, if you buy your Stratosphere Tower tickets at Hellotickets, you can add in your reservation the access to one or two attractions: the Big Shot, a catapult that launches you almost 50 meters high, or the X-Scream, an impressive roller coaster.

Can you imagine visiting the Grand Canyon, Lake Tahoe, Zion National Park, Arches National Park or the Mohave Desert without leaving Las Vegas? Then don't imagine it and experience it in Las Vegas FlyOver.

This simulated flight takes place on a platform with up to 6 degrees of movement where you will discover the most visited and impressive landscapes and natural scenery in North America.

Your kids will be amazed with this virtual trip in which you will travel through amazing landscapes and natural scenery while you are suspended in the air, in a super realistic and inverse experience.

Las Vegas has a lot to say to geeks, particularly Marvel fans. If your kids are into superheroes, there's no forgiveness if you don't take them to the Treasure Island exhibit dedicated to Marvel and, specifically, The Avengers.

The official name of this site is Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.T.I.O.N. and it's perfect for both adults and children to enjoy everything characteristic of this saga. In short, this Avengers station is a sort of museum that has sections dedicated to all the superheroes that make up this team. When you go, you will be able to see in detail the costumes that the superheroes wore in the movies, as well as different temporary and permanent exhibitions dedicated to all their exploits.

It doesn't matter if you like the Hulk, Captain America or Iron Man: this is a space for all the Avengers to meet and, for that reason, children will have an incredible time, because they will feel like they are in a Marvel movie. Do you dare to share this experience with them?

Okay, we know that with kids you can't go to casinos. But nothing stops families from going to a museum where you can see the history of Las Vegas casinos.

Are there Museums in Las Vegas? Sure! They are really cool and varied. If you want to spend a more pleasant evening without leaving the little ones, then do not miss a visit to the Neon Museum.

Located in the Neon Boneyard, this is a space designed to show not only the history of casinos in the city, but the emergence of Las Vegas as a city designed according to gambling, through its neon signs. As its name suggests, this museum places great emphasis on neon lights and that is why the best time to visit is at night.

Practical Information

• Price: between 20 and 30 €, but varies according to their modalities, such as guided tours in English and Spanish. Children under six years old are free, while those between 7 and 17 years old, as well as those over 65 years old, have reduced admission.
• Location: 770 Las Vegas Boulevard North. Serving the 113 bus at the SB Las Vegas before Cashman stop.
• Hours: 4:00 p.m. to midnight. Last guided tours depart at 11:00 pm.

In Downtown Las Vegas you can find one of the most incredible museums in the city that kids will love. It's the Discovery Children's Museum, or Museo Discovery de los Niños, which offers the little ones all kinds of incredible experiences with attractions and educational games that won't bore them even for a second.

In the museum there are nine interactive zones, but the dynamic is to climb a 21-meter summit where there are twelve levels dedicated to science, and which also incorporate climbing activities and games.

In addition, you will also find a Water World where all kinds of marine world activities are explained, as well as a section dedicated to communities and sustainable urbanism, EcoCity, and sometimes, there are exhibitions and displays on very innovative topics such as 3D printing or space exploration.

Practical information

• Price: around 15 €.
• Location: 360 Promenade Place
• Hours: from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sundays from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

The most fantastic circus in the world is also in Las Vegas. In fact, it is in this city where the most shows are held at the same time: a total of seven. But this is not just one more of the many shows you can go to in Las Vegas. I guarantee it's another level. With some advance notice you can keep an eye out to find which resorts it's being presented at and with which show.

The little ones will especially love the acrobatics, the laughs and the comedy. After all, they are stories told through the circus that will give a lot to laugh and contemplate. Plus, you can rest assured that Cirque du Soleil does not use animals in its U.S. performances. In this way, children can understand how it is possible to have a circus without animal abuse.

Although tickets to Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas are somewhat expensive, I advise you not to hesitate to buy them, because neither you nor your children should miss out on what could be the best show you will ever see in your life.

No exaggeration: the Bellagio hotel's botanical and conservatory gardens are among the best in the world for their characteristics. And it is very unusual to have such gardens in the middle of a hotel designed primarily for gambling.

But this space is fantastic and children love it because of the amount of flowers and plants they can see. In addition, it is a very cool space, because it is indoors and serves as an air conditioner when the summer makes even the water sweat.

Missing this garden, being with children, would be foolish, because it is completely free and only if you go by car you will have to pay for parking. I recommend you visit at any time of the day, even so you can all take a break from the sun and the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas.

Chocolate: we know it's not the healthiest of foods, but we love it! Kids are always the first to go for chocolate and even more so if they are M&Ms. Although like any product with excess sugar it requires a lot of moderation, if you are in Las Vegas, take them to M&M's World, located in the Showcase Mall.

This is a giant store, with 2600 square meters that is full of chocolate on all four sides. Besides, of course, buying M&M's chocolates, this incredible space can be adapted to something more specific: printing your own M&M's! In the store there is a printer that has different modes to be adapted and you can choose the ones you like the most.

What kid won't want to create their own M&M's? Also, this is another perfect place for photos, because there are different things made with M&Ms, such as car cars and some models. Chocolate is just an excuse to see a one-of-a-kind store where kids will burst with excitement.

Practical information

• Price: No admission is required to be in this store.
• Location: Showcase Mall 3785 South Las Vegas Blvd, near MGM Hotel
• Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday

Imagine that, on top of a hotel, there is an incredible amusement park. But it doesn't stop there, those rides are closely related to the height of the hotel. Does it make you dizzy? I'm sure the kids don't. You can find all this at The Strat Hotel, Casino and Skypod. The most famous attraction is the SkyJump.

As its name suggests, this attraction consists of a 260-meter free fall at 65 kilometers per hour. It's a blast that will make you vibrate and scream, and the kids will feel how everything falls. But it's not the only one: unless you get really dizzy, you can take three turns on an attraction that will make everything spin 275 meters high.

If you are looking for what to do at night in Las Vegas, this is a spectacular place to spend an afternoon or evening with the family. There are more attractions, such as the X-Scream or the Big Shot that will take you to the edge of madness with so many movements.

Three museums in one, all at the same time. Kids and adults can get a great tour when they visit the Springs Preserve, located at the Nevada State Museum, which shows how Las Vegas originated as a city and replicates what its streets looked like in the early 20th century, which kids will love.

But there's more: the Springs Preserve has 73 acres of trails through forests, botanical gardens and wildlife habitats, plus temporary and permanent exhibit centers. My advice is to dedicate a full day, take plenty of sunscreen and a fully-loaded camera to detail each plant.

For example: children will marvel at the huge collection of cacti and will also be able to identify different species of birds and desert animals in general. It is a place to learn about history, yes, but also to relax, walk around and enjoy, although the kids will certainly run around a lot.

Practical information

• Price: about 8 € for adults and about 4 € for children. Children under 2 years old are free. Advance reservations are required.
• Location: 333 S. Valley View Blvd. SB Valley View after Meadows bus stop on the 104 and 207 bus lines.
• Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

The fact that children under the age of 21 are not allowed in Las Vegas casinos is an obstacle for many families who want to see the city, but it's all about adapting the plan. As you've seen in this article, you're going to find plenty of other things besides the best casinos in Las Vegas, so it's worth going, even with young children.

However, you should be very mindful. Even if you stay in a hotel with a casino, children under 21 are not allowed in the gaming areas unless they are in transit from one point to another and it is also essential that they are always accompanied by their parents. This, for example, includes that they cannot watch any shows that are presented in casinos or casino bars.

If either parent wants to gamble, my advice is to take turns taking care of the children for a while. Only from the age of 16 onwards some hotels offer a very restricted gambling program that needs parental approval and monitoring.

Traveller Tip

Some parents choose to go to hotels that don't have casinos, but finding one in Las Vegas can be an uphill battle. As long as they are not in the gambling areas, children can stay in the hotel.

Transportation is always a complicated issue when going on vacation and even more so in the United States. With children everything becomes more complicated. In spite of that, you have different options. In Las Vegas there is a pretty decent public transportation, with a monorail system that connects the main tourist parts of the city.

There you will be able to travel with children with the utmost comfort. But if you want something more focused on sightseeing, buying tickets for the tour buses will be the best, since from them the whole family will be able to observe the best of the city from above and the kids will enjoy the ride a lot. In addition, this can be the starting point for some of the tours and excursions to do in the city.

Although this can be useful to know some attractions, most probably you need something more extensive to know everything. For that reason, especially if you have children, renting a car is usually the best option. In the long run this option will be more economical, especially if you are staying more than a week in Las Vegas and intend to go to places outside the city. In addition, many hotels and attractions cover the cost of parking in the services they offer.