The cacophony of ringing slot machines, the twinkling of neon lights, the street performers who delight - Las Vegas is often thought of as a giant playground for adults, but in reality was built around families who revel in the year-round warm weather and abundant entertainment opportunities.
Vegas offers a wide range of activities and attractions suitable for all ages – from high-energy, world-class theme parks to interactive exhibits like the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay to quieter excursions into the expansive nature surrounding this desert city. Here is our guide to curating the perfect kid-friendly visit to Vegas!
1. Drop into M&M World for a sweet treat
Located at the heart of the Strip, M&M World is a four-story retail store dedicated to all things M&M’s, offering an immersive and interactive experience for visitors of all ages. It’s the perfect spot to satisfy a sweet craving while cruising the Strip with the family.
The store features various attractions, including a wall-to-wall colorful chocolate dispenser, where you can select your favorite M&M flavors and a custom printing station to print personalized messages or photos onto M&M’s.
2. Combine education with experience at the Shark Reef Aquarium in Mandalay Bay
Why not sneak a little ocean life education with a jaw-dropping encounter with sharks - safely behind plexiglass, of course! The aquarium is home to over 2,000 animals, including 15 different species of sharks. A touch pool creates an interactive experience where kids can touch starfish and stingrays.
Parents can relax and go at their own pace with a self-guided tour or sign up for special behind-the-scenes experiences where kids can learn about the aquarium’s marine conservation efforts and get up close and personal with some of its inhabitants.
3. Make dinner easy and visit the Container Food Truck Park
While it doesn’t sound glamorous by name, trust us when we say the Container Food Truck Park off Fremont Street is an all-in-one destination for parents who need to please the food preferences of multiple children. You’ll be greeted by the famous giant praying mantis who guards the entrance and also offers a fire and music show on regular intervals.
Once inside, you’ll have a wide enough variety of culinary delights sure to appease even the pickiest eater, as well as a central playground that makes this a parent’s paradise where you can opt for a beverage while you watch them run off steam.
4. Take in some medieval fun at the Excalibur Tournament of Kings
If you’re searching for a thrilling show to add to your family’s itinerary, the Excalibur Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino is a must-visit. The show features a live-action performance where you can join King Arthur and his royal knights for an unforgettable dinner and show experience as you watch the performers engage in a jousting tournament.
You can cheer your favorite knight, feast on a sumptuous three-course dinner and be entertained by an electrifying laser light and pyrotechnic show.
5. Mesmerize the little ones with a family-friendly show
Las Vegas is the perfect place to ignite your children’s passion for performance and flair. No one does it better than the Tropicana’s Las Vegas MJ Live Show, where they can get a history lesson on the King of Pop himself. Or dazzle them with magic at the Las Vegas Magic Theatre, which features family-friendly rotating acts year-round.
6. Adventure into nature at Red Rocks Canyon
Las Vegas is the penultimate destination for stimulation, but when it’s time to wind down and reconnect, Red Rocks Canyon is waiting. Take your kids on a guided horseback tour of the epic desert scapes that await just outside the city. The minimum age is seven years old, is suitable for beginners and includes transportation.
7. Fly high on the LINQ zipline
For daredevil kids, the LINQ Zipline is the ultimate adrenaline rush sending little adventurers sailing 12 stories above Las Vegas’ most famous buildings. The zipline, a part of the High Roller Observation Wheel complex, allows visitors to soar through the skies at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour and features two side-by-side lines, allowing family members to zip together.
8. Get starstruck at Madame Tussauds
This uber-popular Madame Tussauds is the classic Las Vegas kid’s experience with lifelike wax figures of famous celebrities, sports figures and pop stars ready for a selfie.
Some famous wax figures include Beyonce, Elvis Presley and the Marvel superhero team. The attraction is suitable for all ages, making it perfect for families with littles who can’t do the more adventurous offerings in the city.
Join the over a million people who are AAA members and start planning your family getaway to Las Vegas today. Dream up the perfect trip with our Trip Canvas research tool and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels, rental cars and entertainment tickets.