20 Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Las Vegas That the Whole Family Will Enjoy, According To Reddit
Las Vegas gets a bad rap as a family destination — and it's mostly undeserved. Beneath the neon and the casino floors is a city that has quietly built one of the most diverse menus of family entertainment in North America. Reddit's parent communities have been documenting this for years. With the right planning, Las Vegas doesn't just tolerate families — it rewards them. Here are 20 kid-friendly things to do, straight from Reddit.
🎡 Attractions & Theme Parks
1. Adventuredome at Circus Circus — Vegas's Own Indoor Theme Park
The Adventuredome is a 5-acre indoor theme park under a pink dome at Circus Circus — Reddit's most-cited kid-specific Vegas recommendation. Rides range from a double-loop roller coaster to bumper cars, mini golf, and laser tag. Everything is air-conditioned, making it perfect during summer heat. Younger children have dedicated rides; older kids tackle the bigger attractions.
2. Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York
For thrill-seeking families with older children, the Big Apple Coaster loops over the New York-New York rooftop at up to 67 mph. Reddit parents describe watching their kids' faces during this ride as a Vegas highlight in itself. Minimum height requirement applies.
3. The Sphere Experience
The Sphere's interior LED screen — the largest in human history — wraps the entire audience in immersive worlds Reddit families describe as "mind-blowing" and "the thing my kids still talk about months later." Age-appropriate shows make this accessible for children. There is simply nothing else like it on Earth.
4. High Roller Observation Wheel at LINQ
At 550 feet, the High Roller is the world's tallest observation wheel, and families consistently rank it among their most-loved Vegas experiences. The 30-minute slow rotation in glass cabins gives kids and parents a panoramic 360-degree view of the Strip and the surrounding desert. Reddit parents tip: ride at sunset for the best colors.
🌊 Pools & Water Fun
5. Mandalay Bay Beach & Wave Pool
Reddit's #1 family pool recommendation by a wide margin. Mandalay Bay's complex includes 2,700 tons of real sand, a wave pool with 3-foot swells, and a lazy river — a true beach experience in the Nevada desert. Kids lose their minds when they realize there's a wave pool in the Mojave.
6. MGM Grand Pool & Lazy River
The MGM Grand's lazy river is a repeated favorite in Reddit family threads — the kind of attraction that keeps kids happily occupied for an entire afternoon. The broader complex is spacious and well-staffed, making it a great base for a full pool day.
7. Springs Preserve Splash Pad
Springs Preserve features a splash pad that's a perfect low-cost cool-down for younger children alongside its nature exhibits and walking trails. Reddit parents with toddlers call it one of the best-kept family secrets in Las Vegas.
🦈 Animals & Nature
8. Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
Shark Reef houses 2,000+ animals including a 30-foot walk-through shark tunnel children find thrilling. The stingray and horseshoe crab touch pool is an interactive standout. Reddit parents consistently call it one of the best-value paid family attractions in Vegas.
9. Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
Completely free. The Flamingo Hotel's outdoor habitat is home to Chilean flamingos, exotic birds, and koi — right on the Strip. Reddit families are often surprised by how much time they spend here. Kids who love animals are instantly captivated.
10. Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive
Just 17 miles from the Strip, Red Rock Canyon's 13-mile scenic loop is doable entirely by car with young children — stunning sandstone scenery, no hiking required. Older kids can tackle easy trails like Calico Hills.
11. Valley of Fire State Park Day Trip
About 50 miles northeast, Valley of Fire is a short drive to some of the most dramatic landscapes in the American West. Reddit families call it "like driving through another planet" — ancient petroglyphs, vivid red rock, and far fewer crowds than national parks.
🎭 Shows & Performances
12. Cirque du Soleil — Mystère at Treasure Island
Of all the Cirque shows in Vegas, Mystère is Reddit's top family recommendation — no age restriction, and the most accessible production for children. "My 7-year-old sat perfectly still for two hours for the first time in her life," wrote one Reddit parent.
13. Tournament of Kings at Excalibur
A medieval dinner show with jousting knights and a four-course meal you eat with your hands. Tournament of Kings gets consistent Reddit praise from families with kids aged 6–14, who go wild for the theatrical combat. Campy in exactly the right way.
14. Mac King Comedy Magic Show
Mac King at Harrah's is a family-friendly magic and comedy show that Reddit parents consistently recommend as one of the best-value entertainment options in Vegas. Tickets are far cheaper than most Strip shows, and children are part of the act. "The kids were crying laughing" is a common refrain.
🎮 Museums & Interactive Experiences
15. Discovery Children's Museum
Located downtown, the Discovery Children's Museum is a six-story, hands-on educational playground built specifically for children. Reddit parents rate it as the single best dedicated kid attraction in the metro — with exhibits on science, water, and the arts. Plan for a full half-day.
16. AREA15 & Omega Mart
AREA15 is an off-Strip complex housing immersive art experiences. The standout is Omega Mart — a Meow Wolf installation that begins as a grocery store and transforms into a surrealist labyrinth of rooms, passages, and interactive art. Reddit families describe it as "what happens when a theme park and a dream collide."
17. Pinball Hall of Fame
The Pinball Hall of Fame houses hundreds of vintage machines, all playable for quarters. Reddit families call it one of the best-kept budget secrets in Vegas — you can spend hours here for under $20 per person. Perfect for all ages, with machines spanning decades of gaming history.
18. Museum of Illusions
On the Strip, the Museum of Illusions is an interactive photo-and-perception attraction Reddit families list as a perfect 1–2-hour stop between activities. Kids love the infinity rooms, trick art, and forced-perspective exhibits that produce absurd family photos.
🆓 Free Family Favorites
19. Bellagio Fountains & Conservatory
Two of Las Vegas's most beloved attractions cost exactly nothing. The Bellagio Fountain Show — set to music from Sinatra to Broadway — runs every 30 minutes after dark and stops children in their tracks. Inside, the Bellagio Conservatory transforms seasonally into an elaborate botanical display. Reddit parents call it "the gift Vegas gives you for free."
20. M&M's World & Hershey's Chocolate World
M&M's World spans four colorful floors; Hershey's Chocolate World completes the sugar-fueled double act next door. Both are free to enter. Reddit parents note that kids who couldn't care less about shows will happily spend an hour in each — and parents have been known to linger too.
Reddit's Tips for Vegas with Kids
- Walk the Strip during the day. The crowds and adult atmosphere are far more manageable before 10 p.m.
- Check pool schedules. Outdoor pools close or go unheated in winter. Call ahead to confirm family availability.
- Budget for resort fees. They add up fast and are non-negotiable at most Strip properties.
- Use the monorail. The Las Vegas Monorail connects major Strip properties and saves tired little legs.
The Reddit Verdict
Las Vegas with kids is not a compromise — it's a different kind of vacation altogether, full of surprises your family won't find anywhere else. From wave pools in the desert to walk-through shark tunnels, indoor roller coasters, and free fountain shows, Vegas is more generous with family fun than its reputation suggests.
Pack the sunscreen, lower the expectations on casino time, and let the kids lead. They'll find the magic — it's everywhere.