We’ve raised four kids, survived countless family vacations, and lived to tell the tale—so trust us, we know what works (and what will have you sprinting for the nearest adult beverage).
Las Vegas might have a reputation for wild nights and questionable decisions, but it’s also a goldmine for family fun—especially if your crew is under 10 and still thinks you’re cool. Here’s our snarky, tried-and-true guide to keeping the little ones entertained in Sin City, with a few “we’ve done it, and survived” stories sprinkled in.
Shows & Entertainment
- Nathan Burton Magic Show ($22+)
If your kids are at the age where “pull my finger” is still comedy gold, they’ll lose their minds at Nathan Burton’s magic show. It’s fast-paced, funny, and packed with enough tricks to keep even the most sugar-hyped child glued to their seat. We’ve been, and our youngest still talks about the “disappearing lady” (and not in a therapy kind of way). - Potted Potter ($39+)
Got a Harry Potter fan? This parody show crams all seven books into 70 minutes, with plenty of slapstick and audience participation. Even if your kids haven’t read the books (ours only made it through the movies), they’ll laugh at the goofy props and silly accents. - Piff the Magic Dragon ($45+)
Imagine a grumpy British guy in a dragon suit doing magic with a chihuahua. That’s Piff. It’s weird, it’s hilarious, and it’s surprisingly kid-friendly. We went in skeptical, left as fans, and our kids still ask if we can get a dog that does card tricks. - Tournament of Kings (Dinner & Show, $81+)
Knights, horses, jousting, and eating with your hands—what’s not to love? It’s loud, messy, and the food is surprisingly decent. Our kids cheered so hard for their knight, we thought they’d lose their voices. Bonus: you don’t have to nag them about table manners for one glorious night.
Museums (For When You Need to Trick Them Into Learning)
- Museum of Selfies ($23+)
If your kids are obsessed with taking photos (or you just want some blackmail material for their future wedding), this place is a goldmine. Giant donuts, upside-down rooms, and more Instagrammable backdrops than you can shake a selfie stick at. - Discovery Children’s Museum
Three floors of hands-on exhibits, water play, and a climbing tower that will wear them out faster than a Vegas buffet. We’ve lost track of how many times we’ve been here, but it’s always a hit—especially Toddler Town for the littlest ones. - Las Vegas Natural History Museum ($12)
Dinosaurs, Egyptian mummies, and a live shark tank. It’s educational, but don’t tell the kids. Ours loved the giant T-Rex and the hands-on exhibits.
Parks, Playgrounds & Places to Burn Off Energy
- Adventuredome at Circus Circus
Five acres of indoor rides, games, and chaos. Roller coasters, bumper cars, and enough spinning rides to make you rethink that buffet. Our kids loved it; our stomachs, not so much. - Pinball Hall of Fame (Free admission, bring quarters)
A warehouse full of vintage pinball and arcade games—most just 25-50 cents. We schooled our kids (or tried to), and everyone left happy and only slightly competitive. - Uptown Jungle Fun Park ($16+)
Think: indoor playground on steroids. Climbing walls, obstacle courses, and slides that make you question your life choices if you try them as an adult. Our kids loved it, and we loved the air conditioning. - LOL Kids Club ($29+)
A massive indoor play space with slides, ball pits, and enough padded surfaces to keep ER visits to a minimum. We’ve spent hours here while the kids ran wild and we sipped coffee in peace. - Rex Center Amusement Park ($24+)
Mini golf, laser tag, rock climbing, and a dinosaur theme. It’s like every kid’s birthday party rolled into one. We haven’t tried it yet, but it’s on our list for the next trip.
Classic Vegas Experiences
- Madame Tussauds + Marvel 4D ($39.99+)
Wax figures of celebrities and superheroes, plus a 4D Marvel movie. Our kids loved posing with Spider-Man and pretending to punch Thanos. We may have gotten a little too into it ourselves. - The High Roller at The LINQ ($13+)
A giant Ferris wheel with air-conditioned pods and killer views. Our kids loved spotting landmarks, and we loved the 30 minutes of forced family bonding.
Animal Encounters & Nature
- Shark Reef Aquarium at
Mandalay Bay ($29+)
Sharks, rays, turtles, and a touch pool. It’s cool (literally and figuratively), and the shipwreck tunnel is a hit with all ages. We’ve been more than once, and it never gets old. - Springs Preserve ($19+)
Botanical gardens, playgrounds, and a butterfly habitat. It’s a peaceful break from the Strip, and the kids can run wild without you worrying about them knocking over a slot machine. - Flamingo Wildlife Habitat (Free)
Free, outdoors, and full of flamingos and koi fish. It’s a quick stop, but the kids love it—and so do our wallets.
Free & Cheap Fun
- Bellagio Fountains & Conservatory
The fountains are mesmerizing, and the conservatory is a floral wonderland. Both are free, and both are guaranteed to impress even the most jaded little traveler. - Downtown Container Park
A playground with a giant treehouse, free movies, and plenty of food options. We’ve spent many afternoons here, and the kids always leave happy (and tired).
Quick Comparison Table
| Attraction | Type | Price (per person) | Our Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nathan Burton Magic | Show | $32+ | Fast, funny, kid-approved |
| Museum of Selfies | Museum | $23+ | Instagram heaven, silly fun |
| Potted Potter | Show | $25+ | Potter parody, lots of laughs |
| Tournament of Kings | Dinner/Show | $82+ | Knights, horses, eat with hands |
| Piff the Magic Dragon | Show | $45+ | Magic, comedy, dragon suit |
| Rex Center Amusement Park | Amusement Park | $30+ | Mini golf, laser tag, dinos |
| LOL Kids Club | Indoor Playground | $29+ | Slides, ball pits, coffee for you |
| Madame Tussauds + Marvel 4D | Wax Museum/4D Movie | $39.99+ | Superheroes, wax celebs |
| Uptown Jungle Fun Park | Indoor Playground | $16+ | Climbing, slides, AC bliss |
| Adventuredome | Indoor Theme Park | Varies | Rides, games, AC, pure chaos |
| Pinball Hall of Fame | Pinball Museum | Free + quarters | Nostalgia, cheap fun, all ages |
Final Tips
- Don’t try to do it all in one day. Vegas is big, and so are the meltdowns if you overdo it.
- Hydrate. Seriously, it’s the desert. We learned the hard way.
- Embrace the chaos. Some of our best memories are from the unplanned moments—like our youngest trying to “out-magic” Nathan Burton with a plastic spoon.
Vegas with kids under 10? Totally doable, and actually a blast. Just remember: what happens in Vegas…will probably end up on your family group chat forever.
