Things to Do with Kids in Las Vegas: The Complete Family Guide

Quick picks by what your day looks like:

• Weather-proof activities: DISCOVERY Children’s Museum, indoor playgrounds, an aquarium, an indoor theme park
• Getting outside: Red Rock Canyon, Springs Preserve, neighborhood parks and splash pads
• Watching the budget: free conservatories, free wildlife habitats, parks, and library story times
• Traveling with toddlers: toddler play areas, splash pads, and calm weekday mornings
• Entertaining older kids: desert trails, thrill rides, an observation wheel, and dinosaur galleries

A quick heads-up before you plan: hours, admission, and reservation rules at third-party venues change with the season, so confirm the details on each venue’s own site before you head out.

Las Vegas Family Attractions at a Glance

Hands-On Museums and Learning Centers

Las Vegas has a genuinely strong lineup of museums for kids, and the best of them turn learning into play so completely that the kids never notice the difference.

ディスカバリー子供博物館

If you are traveling with kids ages 1 and up, this is the anchor of any Las Vegas family trip. DISCOVERY Children’s Museum packs three floors and nine hands-on STEAM galleries into one building just north of downtown, so a single visit can carry you through water play, building and engineering challenges, art, and wide-open early-childhood exploration.

The galleries reward curiosity rather than sitting still. Little ones get a dedicated space sized just for them, and older kids can step into a kid-run city where they shop, run a market, and try on grown-up roles for the afternoon. Parents tend to have as much fun watching as the kids do playing.

A few things that make it easy on families: free parking, an indoor setting that shrugs off the summer heat, and straightforward pricing (general admission is $20 per person, $15 for Nevada residents, and free for members and children under 1). You can see the full lineup on the exhibits page, and buying online saves time at the door.

Buy Tickets ->

ラスベガス自然史博物館

Just a few minutes from DISCOVERY in the downtown area, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum is a hit with dinosaur-obsessed kids. Expect prehistoric galleries, marine life, and rotating exhibits that give school-age kids plenty to point at and ask about. It pairs naturally with a DISCOVERY day if you want a two-museum outing downtown.

Nevada State Museum

Located at the Springs Preserve, the Nevada State Museum walks families through the region’s deep history, from Ice Age creatures and a towering mammoth skeleton to Nevada’s cultural story. It works well for elementary-age kids who are starting to connect fossils, geology, and history, and because it sits inside Springs Preserve, you can fold it into a bigger day outdoors.

Want the full rundown of the city’s family museums? See our guide to the best museums in Las Vegas.

Indoor play for every season

Summer temperatures, windy days, and rainy weather make indoor play less of a luxury and more of a survival strategy. The good news is that Las Vegas is full of climate-controlled options where kids can burn energy no matter what the thermometer says.

Beyond DISCOVERY (which is our favorite pick for a reason), the valley has a rotating mix of indoor playgrounds, trampoline parks, and play cafes suited to different ages and energy levels. Because these spots open, move, and change hours often, we keep a maintained shortlist rather than a static list here.

• For the youngest crew, start with our guide to the best indoor toddler playgrounds in Las Vegas.
• For more ideas built around the under-5 set, see our roundup of toddler activities in Las Vegas.

Whatever you choose, an indoor plan keeps a Vegas afternoon comfortable and the kids happily worn out by dinner.

Outdoor Adventures and Parks

When the weather cooperates, usually fall through spring, the desert around Las Vegas is a playground of its own.

Red Rock Canyon

About 20 minutes west of the Strip, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area trades neon for red sandstone, easy family trails, and a scenic drive that feels like a nature documentary. Kids can hunt for seasonal water pools, spot desert wildlife, and scramble on gentle, well-marked paths. There is an entrance fee, and timed-entry reservations are often required for the scenic drive during busy months, so check the official Red Rock Canyon site and book ahead before you go.

Springs Preserve

Springs Preserve is 180 acres of trails, botanical gardens, and hands-on science built on the spot where Las Vegas began. Kids love the interactive exhibits, the desert critters, and a seasonal butterfly habitat, and there is enough shade and indoor space to keep a visit comfortable. It is one of the best all-in-one outdoor days in the city, especially since the Nevada State Museum is right on site. Check springspreserve.org for current hours and admission.

For truly free outdoor time, the valley’s regional parks and splash pads are hard to beat. See the free section below for specifics.

Animal Encounters

Few things light up a kid’s face like getting close to animals, and Las Vegas has more of these moments than most visitors expect.

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On the south end of the Strip, Shark Reef Aquarium lets kids walk through an underwater tunnel with sharks gliding overhead and meet thousands of sea creatures, from rays to sea turtles. It is fully indoor and air-conditioned, which makes it a reliable summer pick, and it is an easy add-on if your family is already spending time on the Strip.

Flamingo Wildlife Habitat

Tucked inside the Flamingo on the Strip, this free outdoor habitat is home to live flamingos, koi, turtles, and other birds along a shaded garden walk. It is a lovely, no-cost animal stop that works for every age and gives little legs a break in the middle of a Strip day.

Fun On and Around the Strip

You do not have to keep kids off the Strip, you just have to know which stops are built for them. During the day, a few Strip attractions are genuine family wins.

High Roller Observation Wheel

At the LINQ Promenade, the High Roller is one of the tallest observation wheels in the world, carrying families hundreds of feet above the city in an enclosed, climate-controlled cabin over a roughly 30-minute ride. Kids love spotting landmarks and watching planes, and a late-afternoon ride catches the city as it shifts from day to gold. Best for kids who enjoy heights and big views.

Adventuredome at Circus Circus

Under the pink glass dome at Circus Circus, the Adventuredome is a fully indoor theme park with rides scaled from gentle to thrilling, plus arcade games and a climbing wall. Because it is indoors, it is another dependable hot-day or late-day option, and the mix of ride heights means both younger kids and older thrill-seekers can find their speed.

The LINQ Promenade and the Strip also hold plenty of free spectacle, which brings us to the best part of any family budget.

Free Things to Do with Kids in Las Vegas

Some of the most memorable family moments in Las Vegas cost nothing at all. Here are the free stops worth building a day around.

• Fountains of Bellagio and the Bellagio Conservatory: The fountains put on a free show throughout the day and evening, and the adjacent Conservatory and Botanical Garden is a free, over-the-top indoor garden that changes with the seasons.
• Downtown Container Park: A family-friendly, open-air spot with a large treehouse-style playground and slide that kids adore. Entry is free during the day. Family hours vary, so check before you go.
• Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Garden: In Henderson, stroll a free botanical cactus garden and peek at the chocolate-making process, with a beloved holiday light display in winter.
• Flamingo Wildlife Habitat: Free live flamingos and koi in a garden setting on the Strip (see above).
• Neighborhood parks and splash pads: Regional parks around the valley offer playgrounds, shade, and seasonal splash pads that are perfect for toddlers through early elementary. Most city and county parks are free.
• Library story times and programs: The local public library district runs free story times, maker programs, and events for kids all year.

When you build a free day, mix an indoor stop with an outdoor one so you always have a comfortable place to land if the heat rises.

Planning Your Visit by Age

The right Las Vegas day looks different depending on who is coming along. Here is a quick way to match activities to ages.

Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 1 to 4)

Keep it simple and sensory. DISCOVERY’s dedicated space for little ones, indoor playgrounds, splash pads, and the free Flamingo Wildlife Habitat all reward short attention spans, and calm weekday mornings are your friend. Start with our toddler activities in Las Vegas guide.

Early Elementary (Ages 5 to 8)

This is the sweet spot for hands-on everything: the STEAM galleries at DISCOVERY, the touch pool at Shark Reef, the exhibits at Springs Preserve, and the family rides at Adventuredome. Kids this age love feeling capable, so lean into the interactive stops.

Older Kids (Ages 9 to 12)

There’s plenty for this age group to enjoy at DISCOVERY, including the innovative makerspaces and galleries focused on experimentation, invention, and engineering.

Sample Las Vegas Days with Kids

Not sure how to stack these stops? Use one of these as a starting point, and confirm hours on each venue’s site first.

• Hot summer day: Start at DISCOVERY when it opens (10am Tuesday through Saturday, 12pm Sunday), take a lunch break, then spend the hottest hours at Shark Reef Aquarium or the Adventuredome. Finish with the free Fountains of Bellagio after sunset.
• Cooler fall-to-spring day: Do Red Rock Canyon in the morning while temperatures are mild, then head to DISCOVERY Children’s Museum for the afternoon.
• Budget day: Pair a neighborhood park or splash pad with the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat and the Bellagio Conservatory, and finish at Downtown Container Park.

Things to Do with Kids in Las Vegas on a Monday

Mondays are the one day to plan around. A number of Las Vegas family attractions run a Tuesday-through-Sunday schedule, so a Monday visit takes a little more checking.

DISCOVERY Children’s Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 12pm to 5pm, with select Monday openings during holidays, summer, and winter and spring breaks. Before a Monday outing, check the museum’s calendar and confirm hours at any third-party venue on your list, since weekly schedules vary from place to place.

Las Vegas Family Membership: Unlimited Visits to DISCOVERY

If Las Vegas is home, or you visit often, a DISCOVERY membership usually pays for itself fast.

• Unlimited visits for a full year, on weekdays and weekends
• Memberships start at $95
• A cost-effective choice for families who come monthly or more
• An easy way to build a regular rhythm of hands-on learning

Compare options on the memberships page and pick the tier that fits your family.

Explore Memberships ->

よくある質問

What are the best things to do with kids in Las Vegas?

For most families, the strongest mix is a hands-on museum like DISCOVERY Children’s Museum, an outdoor stop such as Red Rock Canyon or Springs Preserve, and an animal encounter like Shark Reef Aquarium. Blend one indoor and one outdoor activity per day so you stay comfortable in the heat.

What can you do with kids in Las Vegas for free?

Plenty. Watch the Fountains of Bellagio, walk the free Bellagio Conservatory, visit the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat, explore the Ethel M cactus garden in Henderson, or spend an afternoon at a neighborhood park or splash pad. Local library branches also run free story times and kids’ programs.

Is Las Vegas good for toddlers?

Yes. Toddlers do best with sensory, low-key stops: DISCOVERY’s dedicated toddler space, indoor playgrounds, splash pads, and short animal visits. Aim for calm weekday mornings, and see our toddler activities guide for a full list of under-5 friendly ideas.

What indoor activities are there for kids on a hot day?

DISCOVERY Children’s Museum, Shark Reef Aquarium, the indoor Adventuredome theme park, and the valley’s indoor playgrounds and trampoline parks all keep kids active in air conditioning. These are your go-to options in the summer months.

What is there to do with kids on the Las Vegas Strip?

During the day, families enjoy Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, the High Roller observation wheel at the LINQ, and free sights like the Bellagio fountains and the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat. Keep Strip visits to daytime for the most kid-friendly experience.

How much does DISCOVERY Children’s Museum cost, and what ages is it for?

DISCOVERY is designed for kids ages 1 to 12, with three floors and nine hands-on STEAM galleries. General admission is $20 per person, $15 for Nevada residents, and free for members and children under 1. See the buy tickets page for current pricing and the admission discounts page for other available savings.