Most people probably don’t think of Las Vegas as being kid-friendly and I would agree: there are lots of things about the city that aren’t at all family friendly. The good news is, if you can ignore some of the crazy stuff, Las Vegas can actually be a lot of fun for families. We were just there for a soccer tournament, spent a few days on the strip, and found a number of fun things to do in Las Vegas with kids. Check them out and let me know what your favorite family-friendly Las Vegas activities are!
Walking down the strip and wandering through hotels is a great way to fill time and see a lot of fun sights, from statues to scenery.
Be prepared that you will also see a lot of things that may not be appropriate for little eyes. The scantily clad Vegas showgirls and cards and flyers littering the ground are more abundant at night so if you’re wandering with littles, daytime is probably better.
View the Unique Hotels in Las Vegas
The facades of many of the hotels are absolutely beautiful, full of gorgeous detail. Each hotel has a unique style and often a unique attraction, as well.
Younger kids may not enjoy walking through the hotels for a long period of time {it’s a ton of walking!} but there’s definitely a lot to see.
The Fountains at the Bellagio
The fountains at the Bellagio are my absolute favorite. The water show is choreographed to music, the fountains are lit up at night, and the show is something that could be watched a number of times.
There’s a great view from the walkway in front of the Bellagio …
… but you can also walk up the path toward the hotel and view the fountains from behind. Paris, with its tall tower, makes a gorgeous backdrop.
Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
Seeing live animals is no longer common on the strip {years ago, you could go see the white tigers roaming in a habitat at the Mirage but you now have to pay to enter the Secret Garden} but there are still live flamingos in the habitat at Flamingo Palace and entry is free.
The lush outdoor habitat makes you feel like you’ve stepped away from the strip for a bit and little ones will love the flamingos, ducks, and geese.
Gondolas on the Canal at the Venetian
Even if you don’t take a gondola ride, it’s fun watching the gondolas glide up and down the canal in the Venetian. The gondoliers are in uniform and it all adds to a feeling of stepping into another country.
The Venetian also has street performances with costumed opera singers, jugglers, stilt walkers, and living statues.
Instagram Spot on Las Vegas Strip
If you’re traveling with teens who love a good instagram spot, don’t miss the colorful painted stairs outside Fashion Show Mall on the strip.
The art installation was painted by a local artist, contains over fifty unique colors, and took fifteen days to paint.
Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas
If you haven’t seen the Eiffel Tower in Paris, you can see a half-scale replica on the strip, at Paris Las Vegas.
The Eiffel tower looks amazing in the daytime …
… but don’t miss catching a night view as well.
Roller Coaster at New York New York
If you’ve got some thrill seekers in the family, ride the roller coaster at New York New York. It twists and dives in front of the hotel and now has a virtual reality package that can be added for extra thrills.
If the roller coaster is too much, just walk along the front of the hotel and take in the city skyline.
Hershey’s Chocolate World
Don’t miss a stop at Hershey’s Chocolate World at New York New York.
There are walls of candy dispensers including every variety of peanut butter cup …
… and a Statue of Liberty made out of licorice!
There’s also a half-size replica of a non-edible {wink} Statue of Liberty outside the hotel.
Coca-Cola Store
We hadn’t heard a lot of talk about the Coca-Cola store in Las Vegas but it was probably our favorite stop on the strip.
Like other stores, it’s full of fun and unique paraphernalia …
… but be sure to stop at the Coca-Cola beverage bar upstairs. You can grab your favorite Coke beverage but if you’re in for some fun, try the international platter {with sixteen international Coke beverages from around the world} or the float platter.
The float platter has eight different Coca-Cola drinks, all with a scoop of ice cream, and it’s the perfect treat to share while you let your feet rest.
M&M’s World
M&M’s World is another fun stop for kids.
There’s an entire wall of colorful M&M’s in every flavor, you can mix and match to fill bags and containers to take home, and sampling is encouraged.
Like the other candy stores on the strip, there’s a lot of themed merchandise to buy and fun backdrops for cute photos, but M&M World also has a movie you can watch if you need a break from the hustle.
Carlo’s Bakery
Carlo’s Bakery of Cake Boss fame, is now open in the Venetian.
While you probably won’t see Buddy Valastro, it is fun to watch the cake and cookie decorating from the large window in front.
Snack Break
If you’re needing a little sweet tooth fix, there are a number of places to stop for gelato all along the strip. Grab a cup and people watch on the strip or in a hotel.
Characters in Las Vegas
And finally, kids may or may not love the characters all along the strip. There’s everything from Paw Patrol to Batman and while some are a little creepy looking, most are pretty fun. Be warned though: if you stop for a photo, a donation is expected.
Having fun in Las Vegas with kids may require a bit of creativity but it’s definitely a city to check out, even if you never leave the strip!
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