Tournament of Kings at Excalibur

This is the show my whole family cheers through. It’s a medieval dinner theater where knights joust on horseback while you eat a hearty meal with your hands — no silverware, which kids think is hilarious. There’s fire, galloping horses, and plenty of cheering for your section’s knight. Tip: Book ahead and arrive a little early; seating is by kingdom and the room fills up.

Circus Circus Free Circus Acts

Up in the Carnival Midway at Circus Circus, live circus performers — acrobats, jugglers, trapeze artists — put on short shows throughout the day, completely free. It’s a classic Vegas experience that hasn’t changed since I was a kid. Afterward, the midway is full of arcade and carnival games. Tip: Seats near the stage go fast, so grab a spot a few minutes before showtime.

DISCOVERY Children’s Museum

This is a true children’s museum — three floors of hands-on exhibits where kids climb, build, experiment, and play their way through science, art, water, and nature. The showpiece is a soaring multi-story tower of interactive challenges right in the center of the building. It sits downtown at Symphony Park, so it’s easy to pair with a Fremont Street visit. Tip: Plan for a few hours — little ones especially get happily lost in it.

Museum of Ice Cream at AREA15

This one is brand-new to Las Vegas — the Museum of Ice Cream opened its biggest location yet at AREA15 in the summer of 2026. It’s an immersive, candy-colored playground of themed rooms, sweet treats along the way, and its famous sprinkle pool the kids can dive right into. It’s playful, bright, and made for photos. Tip: It’s inside AREA15, which has other family attractions too, so you can easily build a half-day around it.

HeadzUP Vegas Trick Art Museum

This is an interactive 3D trick-art museum built for goofy family photos — optical illusions that make it look like your kid is hanging off a cliff or being chased by a dinosaur. Everyone from little ones to grandparents ends up laughing. They also run escape rooms and other activities on site. Tip: Bring your phone charged — you’ll take a hundred photos.

Escape Rooms

If you’ve got tweens and teens, a Las Vegas escape room is a great rainy-day (or 110-degree-day) activity. Your team works together to solve puzzles and clues to “escape” before the clock runs out. There are family-friendly themed rooms all over town. Tip: Check the recommended age and difficulty for each room so it’s fun, not frustrating, for younger kids.

Adventuredome at Circus Circus

This is Vegas’s indoor theme park, tucked behind Circus Circus and climate-controlled — a lifesaver in the summer heat. There are gentle rides for the little ones and roller coasters and thrill rides for older kids and teens. Tip: An all-day wristband usually pays off fast if your kids want to ride more than a couple of times.

Xplozone Trampoline Park

Xplozone was built by parents who wanted a place where kids could bounce off wall-to-wall energy while staying in plain sight. Think trampolines, foam pits, and jump walls — a perfect way to wear the kids out on a hot afternoon. Tip: Grippy jump socks are usually required, so check before you go or plan to buy a pair there.

Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix

This family fun center has go-kart tracks for different ages plus a big arcade with everything from skee-ball and air hockey to the newest ticket-redemption games. It’s an easy win when you want a couple of low-key hours out of the sun. Tip: Height requirements vary by track, so check which karts your youngest can ride before you buy the wristband.

SlotZilla & Downtown Zip Lines

Over the years Vegas has grown into a real family town, and zip lining is proof. SlotZilla launches you right down Fremont Street under the light canopy — there’s a lower “zip” line and a higher “zoom” line where you fly superhero-style. Tip: There are minimum age, height, and weight requirements, so verify your kids qualify on the official site first.

Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

This is one of the best kid attractions on the Strip. You’ll walk through a shipwreck-themed aquarium full of sharks, sea turtles, crocodiles, jellyfish, and more, plus a touch pool where kids can gently meet rays and small sharks. Tip: Check the daily schedule for feedings and animal talks — the kids love watching those.

The Tank Pool & Shark Slide at Golden Nugget

The Golden Nugget’s pool has a three-story waterslide that shoots you through a clear tube right in the middle of a live shark tank. It’s a thrill even for grown-ups. Tip: Pool access is generally reserved for hotel guests and can be seasonal, so confirm availability and any day-pass options before you plan around it.

Flamingo Wildlife Habitat

Right in the middle of the Strip is this lush, free garden habitat home to live flamingos, ducks, turtles, koi, and other birds. It’s shady, peaceful, and a lovely break from the crowds — and it doesn’t cost a thing. Tip: Look for the posted feeding times; that’s when the animals are most active and fun to watch.

Springs Preserve

This is one of my favorite local secrets for families — 180 acres of museums, galleries, botanical gardens, and interpretive trails through a real desert wetland. Kids get hands-on exhibits, live animal displays, and events all year long. It’s the kind of place that’s both fun and quietly educational. Tip: Go earlier in the day in warmer months so you can enjoy the outdoor trails before the heat.

Gondola Ride at The Venetian

No Vegas trip with kids feels complete without a gondola ride at The Venetian. A singing gondolier paddles you along the canal past the shops, and little ones are usually mesmerized. The gondolas seat four, and there are indoor and outdoor routes. Tip: Ask about the age policy for young children when you book — and the outdoor ride is lovely in the evening.

The High Roller at The LINQ

The High Roller is a giant observation wheel and the crown jewel of The LINQ. You ride in a big enclosed cabin, so it’s comfortable and safe for kids, with sweeping views of the whole valley. One rotation takes about half an hour. Tip: Daytime rides show off the mountains and desert; go around sunset for the prettiest light over the Strip.

Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck at Paris

Ride the elevator up the half-scale Eiffel Tower at Paris for a fully caged, kid-safe view over the middle of the Strip — including a straight-on look at the Bellagio fountains. It’s a simple, memorable stop. Tip: Daytime tickets are usually cheaper, but timing your visit for a Bellagio fountain show is worth it.

M&M’s World

Four brightly colored floors of candy, character merchandise, a wall of M&M’s in every color imaginable, and free samples. Admission is free, and there’s a fun short film to catch too. It’s a guaranteed kid crowd-pleaser. Tip: It’s an easy, air-conditioned break between other South Strip stops — and yes, you can personalize your own M&M’s.

Sugar Factory

Sugar Factory is candy-shop-meets-restaurant, famous for over-the-top milkshakes piled with candy and treats. It’s a splurge, but it makes for a big-smile family moment and great photos. Tip: The giant desserts are easy to share — one between a couple of kids usually does the trick.

Cowabunga Canyon Water Park

When the desert heat kicks in, we all head for the water. This is the park longtime locals still call Wet ’n Wild — it’s now Cowabunga Canyon, with slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and shallow splash areas for the littlest swimmers. There’s a sister park, Cowabunga Bay, over in Henderson too. Tip: It’s seasonal, so check the operating calendar; arrive early for shade and easier parking.

Downtown Summerlin

This is my home turf on the west side, and it’s a fantastic family day. Downtown Summerlin is an open-air shopping and dining district with an arcade, a movie theater, a Build-A-Bear, ice cream shops, and a big lawn that hosts events. In winter, that lawn becomes an outdoor ice-skating rink. Tip: Check the events calendar — there’s often free seasonal programming for kids.

Ride the Las Vegas Monorail

To a kid, the monorail is half transportation, half ride. It runs along the east side of the Strip with stops at major resorts, so it’s a fun and easy way to skip the heat and crowds between attractions. Several resorts also run their own free trams. Tip: Confirm current stations and hours on the official site, and look into a day pass if you’ll ride more than once.

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