Las Vegas with Toddlers and young kids

Are you thinking about visiting Las Vegas with toddlers? Are you worried that the city of sin is not the best place to travel with toddlers? Well fear not – we have visited Las Vegas several times with our toddlers and had fabulous stays. In this guide we will round up the best things to do in Las Vegas with toddlers, where to stay in Las Vegas with family and importantly things to avoid in Las Vegas.

Updated: September 2019

Best Ways to Get Around Las Vegas with a Toddler

It surprised me with how easy it was to get around Las Vegas with a toddler. There are plenty of different of options for getting around Sin City and the ones we found best are; 

Hotel Shuttles

As many of the strip and just off strip hotels are owned by the same company, these hotels will often offer a shuttle service between their sites. Last time we were in Vegas we stayed at the Tahiti Village (you can read more about that here) and they offered a free shuttle bus between it the Mirage and the Tropicana – conveniently at opposite ends of the strip. We used this free service to go in and out of the city but walked between the two so we could fully explore the strip.

Note: if you decide to do this please note if you have a stroller you will be asked to take this down for the ride. 

Uber / Lyfts

Las Vegas is a really easy place to find cars on ride sharing apps such as Uber and Lyfts. However this comes with a caveat. 

On the strip there are limited places where Ubers and Lyfts can pick up from hotels. If you are not at the designated spot then the car will be unable to stop so be sure to check with the hotel concierge where you designated area is before hailing your ride. 

Last time we were there we didn’t bother using any ride apps as it was actually way more convenient and cheaper to use the hotel shuttle to get around the strip. 

Monorail

Perhaps by favourite way of getting around Las Vegas with a toddler was via the Monorail. The Monorail track is almost 4 miles long and runs the length of the strip. 

It conveniently has seven stops at

• MGM Grand
• Bally / Paris 
• Flamingo and Caesar’s Palace
• Harrah’s and the Linq
• Convention CEnter
• Westgate
• Sahara 

with more stations planned in the future. The monorail is a great way to get up and down the strip when it is hot and you don’t want to be walking. 

If you are travelling with toddler and thinking about taking a stroller and are worried about accessibility then don’t be. Both times we visited Vegas and used the monorail we had a stroller with us and had no problem finding lifts that were working that could take us from the monorail to street level.

Read Next: Why not check out out post on what is best a baby carrier or stroller for travel? 

Walking

But perhaps the best way of exploring Las Vegas with young kids is exploring by foot. It is the best way to see all the sights and is doable with a stroller. We have used a stroller on all our trips to Vegas and never had an issue. If you prefer to use a carrier instead be sure to get a carrier suitable for hot weather as it can get sweaty walking the strip and try to time your day so your little ones aren’t out in the worst of the Vegas sun. 

On this trip we also visited some other cities as part of our Nevada – California Road Trip with toddlers. So if you want to follow our road trip be sure to check out some of our other regional city guides:

• San Diego with toddlers
• San Francisco with toddlers
• Palm Springs with toddlers

Where to Stay in Las Vegas with a toddler and family?

The answer to where to stay in Las Vegas with a toddler is a tricky one. You can almost be overwhelmed with choice when it comes to finding the perfect hotel in Vegas and it is worth shop around to find out if anywhere is offering a deal (you can often find them with a bit of searching).

The first time we visited Vegas with family we were certainly feeling a bit overwhelmed. That time we ended up staying at  the Luxor which is one of the more budget hotels on the strip.

The facilities at the Luxor are fine but nothing outstanding however it is right next to a Monorail stop which makes it very convenient for those traveling with toddlers and young kids. However, on repeat trips we certainly knew better tactics for looking for a hotel. 

The first thing we now look for when we visit Las Vegas with family is a hotel without a casino. Hotels without casinos are inherently more family friendly in my opinion and will  more likely be non smoking – or at least not have lots of groups of smokers which is obviously a healthier choice when traveling with kids. These hotels are also usually far less noisy and rowdy and just nicer places to be with kids.

If I had my time again however I think I would have definitely picked a different hotel on the strip that didn’t have a casino so children don’t have to walk through the smoke filled casino area!

Best Las Vegas Hotels for families List of Las Vegas Without Casinos

Tahiti Village Hotel – a great off strip hotel

This is the hotel we chose to stay at last time we visited Vegas and would definitely recommend it for families. There is no casino on site and it also has a very strict no smoking policy which is a another great benefit for families in Vegas. 

They also have rooms with kitchen facilities which is also a preference for us so we can make at least a couple of meals at “home” rather than having to eat out every time. 

The amenities at the hotel are also fantastic for families and include a large heated pool, a lazy river, Sunday morning Mermaid meet and greet and a kids activity room. If we were to return to Vegas we would definitely return and stay in one of the Bora Bora rooms again. 

Four Season Las Vegas – a casinoless strip hotel

The Four Seasons Las Vegas describes itself as a non-gaming oasis so is perfect for families. It is located close to Mandalay Bay which makes it convenient for strip access.

Waldorf Astoria

Opening in 2022 – 2023 the Waldorf Astoria is will be a non casino strip hotel

Other Off Strip Hotels without a casino

• Wyndham Desert Blue – this even has an indoor play area for kids 
• Palms Place Hotel and Spa
• Vdara 
• Platinum Hotel 
• Hilton Garden Inn –  has a free shuttle to Mandalay Bay
• Wyndham Grand Desert – further outside that the other Wyndham

However if you are adamant that you would like to stay on the strip and the Waldorf and Four Seasons are not in your price point then I would recommend looking at which hotels have the best amenities for families. 

We recommend looking at 

Mandalay Bay

Mandalay Bay has some of the most family friendly amenities on the strip. It has a large lazy river, wave pool lots of splash pools for littles to enjoy, and even an artificial beach. If you want the best Las Vegas hotel for families on the strip then Mandalay Bay may take the crown.

New York New York

New York New York after Mandalay Bay may be consider one of the nicer hotels for families. It is particularly good for those travelling with slightly older kids as the New York New York coaster is sure to delight. 

It also has the Hershey’s Chocolate World shop inside which was one of my daughter’s strip highlights. 

Best things to do in Las Vegas with toddlers and young kids

Ok – most people who go to Las Vegas are going for the casino, shows and party atmosphere. Truthfully this is not something you are going to be doing when you are visiting Las Vegas with young kids.

However even without these activities there are plenty of things to do with your toddler both on and off the Strip. In this section we will tell you out favourite things to do both on and off the strip with toddlers. 

Best things to do in Las Vegas with toddlers on the Strip

Bellagio Fountains  – the best kids activity on the strip

Toddlers will love the Bellagio Fountains and in my opinion this is one of  he best kids activities on the strip. The light and sound show will delight any toddler and even older kids can’t help but be impressed.

Our toddler wanted to watch it every time we walked past the Bellagio hotel. Depending on the day of the week the show either runs every 15 or 30 minutes, for the best part of the day on weekends and from 3pm on weekdays.

The times of the Fountains Shows currently are 

Monday – Friday

• 3 pm – 8 pm (show every 30 minutes)
• 8 pm – 12am (show every 15 minutes)

Saturday – Sunday

• 12 pm – 8 pm (show every 30 minutes)
• 8 pm – 12am (show every 15 minutes)

We have watched the show both during the night and daytime. I have to say that we enjoyed the show best in the evening as the lights really stand out in the evening. However depending on the day of week and time of year you go it could be rowdier on the strip in the evening.

As an added bonus watching the fountains is one of the best free things you can do in Vegas with kids!

Bellagio Conservatory and botanic garden – a great free things to do in vegas with toddlers

 

Once you have seen the fountains definitely head inside the Bellagio hotel to see their conservatory and botanic garden. This is also another great free thing to do in Vegas however be warned as it is free it can get crowded.

To make sure your  toddler enjoys this activity I recommend going earlier if you can as it will be much quieter.  And it doesn’t matter if you go more than once in a year as the displays are seasonal so you will be able to see something different.

Perhaps the best time to visit is around the Holidays but anytime of year it is worth a visit. In our opinion this is definitely one of the best free things to do in Vegas with toddlers. 

Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay with kids – one of the best things in Las Vegas for toddlers

If you are looking for something in Las Vegas for toddlers specifically rather than just something you can take them with you to then look no further than the Mandalay Bay Aquarium. What toddler doesn’t love an Aquarium right?

The aquarium isn’t the largest in the world however if you want your toddler to walk round it themselves it is a great size. The touch tank will be a particular hit with toddlers. 

I recommend buying your tickets online in advance as in peak season the queues to enter the aquarium can get quite long. Click here for ticket prices 

There are also some add on experiences that you could get to enhance your toddlers experience such as stingray feeding and sea turtle feeds. They also do dives in the shark tank but this isn’t one for the toddlers. 

Be sure to go to the aquarium in the morning as this can get VERY busy especially at high season.  

Top Tip: There is a food court next to the aquarium with lots of fast food options if you are looking for a cheap and quick place to feed a fussy toddler. 

You can book your tickets for the Shark Reef Aquarium here

Linq Highroller

The Linq high roller is the world’s second highest Ferris Wheel after Ain Dubai. It stands at 550ft tall.

One revolution of the wheel takes around 30 minutes and offers stunning views of the Strip. 

One of the other things I love about the Linq Highroller is that it is completely air conditioned which makes it perfect for a hot Vegas day.

It is a great way to see Vegas from above. Perhaps the most impressive view is at night as you will get to see all the lights of the Strip but this is more expensive. 

To reserve your ticket click here! 

Note:

• Children age 3 years and younger are free of charge provided they are with a parent or guardian. This is for day or night time rides only.
• Children are not permitted on the Happy Hour revolutions. 
• It is stroller accessible

Prices start at $25

You can book tickets for the Highroller here.

Gondola Ride at the Venetian

The Venetian is one of the most spectacular hotels on the strip. Adults will love its opulence but toddlers are sure to enjoy the gondola ride. The gondolas hold 4 people and offer great views of the hotels and go under replica Venetian bridges. 

Kids will also love the singing gondoliers. 

What surprised me most about the Gondola ride is that you can chose either indoor or outdoor. I personally think indoor offers something interesting for adults to see the luxury of the hotel but the outdoors offers a lot for toddlers. 

Top Tip: the queues for the gondola rides at the Venetian get long so try and go in the morning if possible to beat the crowds.  Be sure to get in the queue for the indoor gondola ride as this is the most impressive. 

You can book tickets for Gondola rides here

Las Vegas Pools

One of the best things about Las Vegas hotels for families is the amazing pools they have. Many will have large lazy rivers and wave pools as well as other great aquatic amenities. Be sure to schedule plenty of pool time in your Las Vegas itinerary with kids. 

As I mentioned before in our opinion the best hotel on the strip with kids is Mandalay Bay because of all its great family friendly pools and we love staying off strip at the Tahiti Village again because of the amazing pools. 

Tip: remember that in the Winter Vegas does get very cold so if you are travelling in Winter the pool shouldn’t be your one deciding factor on where to stay in Las Vegas with family and you should definitely look for a Las Vegas hotel with a heated pool to make sure it is usable in colder temperatures. When we were in Vegas at the end of April we had some cold weather days and we wouldn’t have been able to use the pool if it wasn’t heated. 

Flamingo Hotel

The Flamingo Hotel is a sure fire hit with toddlers in Vegas. In the hotel grounds there is a small and even better free wildlife habitat where toddlers can see various tropical birds including of course Flamingoes! They also have daily feedings of the Pelicans so be sure to check the website for timings on your day of travel! 

Watch a toddler friendly Las Vegas show at Circus Circus

Circus Circus is one of the Las Vegas shows that has the most toddler friendly theming – let’s face it what toddler doesn’t love a circus. And the best thing about visiting Circus Circus Vegas with toddler? – It has a free show running  from 11:30 daily and it is one of the more toddler friendly las vegas shows.

So be sure to add a visit to the world’s biggest permanent circus to your Vegas itinerary with kids! For more information and to check current timings click here! 

Adventuredome at Circus Circus

Another great thing to do at the Circus Circus hotel on top of the free circus acts is the Adventuredome. 

 The Adventuredome at Circus Circus is basically a large indoor theme park. While there are lots of large rides toddlers in Vegas will enjoy the small children rides and the golf course too! It is the perfect thing to do if you are travelling with both older children who will enjoy the thrill rides and toddlers who will also enjoy the more sedate rides. 

If you are traveling with children under 48 inches tall it is worth knowing that the all day wristband for rides is quite good value. As they can’t ride the largest attractions their wristband is only 20USD which makes it relatively good value for money for Vegas. 

This should be combined with the above on your Las Vegas family itinerary.

See a Volcano Erupt – one of the best things to do in Las Vegas at night with kids

If you can keep your toddler up to 7pm then be sure to head to the Mirage Hotel to see the Volano erupt outside. This is definitely one of the best things to do in Las Vegas at night with kids. 

Volcano shows are currently scheduled to erupt Monday through Sunday from 7pm to 11pm every evening. 

Lake of Dreams – Wynn

Of all the free shows in Vegas the lake of dreams in Vegas might be my favourite. This show is a multimedia experience that also has puppets which toddlers will love. Projected on the water attraction the show features a large waterfall.

The show was designed by Kenny Ortega who works with Disney and is sure to be a hit with kids.

This was definitely my toddlers favourite free show in Vegas. 

Indoor Rainstorm at Planet Hollywood

Similar to the volcano eruption another thing your toddler will love to see is the indoor rainstorm in the desert at Planet Hollywood. 

This is another great free thing to do with kids in Vegas and runs Monday-Thursday top of each hour 10:00am – 11:00pm and then Friday-Sunday every half hour 10:00am – 11:00pm.

M&M World – one of the best things to do in Las Vegas with young kids

Let’s face it – what toddler doesn’t love an M&M! The M&M World is one of the best things to do in Las Vegas with young kids but just be prepared for the sugar high that will come after your visit. 

Hershey’s Chocolate World

If M&Ms aren’t your thing then why not try visiting Hershey’s Chocolate World instead. In a similar vein to M& M world you can buy confectionary and other gifts and memorabilia. There are hundreds of types of chocolate available here and even if you don’t buy anything it is worth stopping buy to see the chocolate Statue of Liberty. 

Marvel Avenger’s Station at Treasure Island

It always amazes me how early kids are to recognise superheroes. If you have a toddler who loves a superhero or even better if you also have older kids visiting Vegas with you, you may want to stop off at Marvel Avenger’s station at Treasure Island. 

Marvel Avenger’s station at Treasure Island is an interactive exhibition that gives you chance to explore the Marvel universe with costumes and weapons and other fun interactivity. 

You can book your Marvel Avenger’s Station Tickets here. 

Tournament of Kings

We mainly did this for my 6 year old daughter but actually it can be done with toddlers too. Toddlers don’t get their own seat but if you are ok with them lap seating and they have enough attention you could do this show with toddlers. It is perhaps the best or maybe even only show in Vegas suitable for toddlers.

Little ones will love cheering their knights on and there is plenty of food to keep the hanger at bay.

Please note; there are some fires and loud noises so if you have a sensitive toddler you might want to skip this one.

This experience is likely to sell out so be sure to prebook your tickets here

Take Your Photo at the Las Vegas Sign

Is any trip to Vegas complete without getting your photo taken with the Las Vegas sign? This is a great way to commemorate your toddler’s first visit to sin city but be warned the queues to get your photo taken at the sign can get crazy long.

If you want to get a photo with your toddler here then we recommend to try and go for around 8am. Queues are much less in the morning so you will have a much lower wait time and it will also avoid you being out for too long in the blazing Vegas sun. There is not much shade at the sign so prepare for that and try to avoid going in the middle of the day if you can.  

Best things to do with toddlers in Las Vegas beyond the Strip (Best Day trips for Las Vegas with kids). 

There are loads of family things to do in Las Vegas off the strip – in fact our favourite things to do with toddler in Las Vegas tended to be off the the strip. Here are out top things to do in Las Vegas off the strip. 

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area 

Just a short 40 minute drive away (depending on where you are in Las Vegas and the traffic when you go) from Vegas is the Red Rock National Conservation Area.

Red Rock Canyon offers a scenic drive with 26 hikes shooting off from it, the canyon is great place to see with toddlers.

We particularly recommend doing the following hikes in Red Rock Canyon with toddlers

• Lost Creek Canyon Trail
• Children’s Discovery Hike

It is also worth stopping in the Visitor Centre at the start of the area to grab an activity book and let your children get a junior tanger badge. 

Please note: that Red Rock Canyon has introduced some crowd mitigation controls which means you have to prebook your ticket with entry time from October through May. 

You can book your timed slot here; https://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/timed-entry-reservation-info/  

You also need a booked slot even on a fee free day. 

Valley of Fire State Park

Looking for what to do in vegas with a toddler outside? Just under an hour away is the Valley of Fire State Park. The Valley of Fire State Park is a beautiful natural area that toddlers will love! The above are also great as stops on a road trip from Vegas!

Discovery Children’s Museum – the best toddler activities las vegas has on offer. 

This is an off strip activity but is is only a six minute drive away. This is one of the best toddler activities Las Vegas has on offer. There are plenty of hands on exhibits that kids but especially toddlers will love. 

This is also a great thing to do in Las Vegas with toddlers to escape the heat. It is probably best for children aged 2 and over but little ones will enjoy too. 

The museum is located a short drive from Vegas in Paradise. 

General admission tickets cost 15.50USD. 

You can book tickets here

Please note; the museum is closed on Mondays and some holidays. 

Spring Preserve 

Spring Preserve is a 180 acre adventure site in Las Vegas. There’s a botanic garden, place to explore wildlife and a train that you can take through the grounds.

We didn’t have chance to do this on our last visit to Las Vegas but is certainly on our Vegas itinerary for next time. 

Death Valley National Park

If you are long time readers of the blog you will know that we love visiting national parks with kids. The closest national park to Las Vegas is Death Valley National Park. 

It’s name may suggest it isn’t toddler friendly but a visit to Death Valley with toddlers is possible so long as you prepare properly. Be sure to take a carrier with you and also plenty of sunscreen, sun safe clothing and of course plenty of water. 

The Seven Magic Mountains

If you are driving to Vegas from LA then be sure to stop at the Seven Magic Mountains exhibit which is just off the highway. This colour rock sculpture is sure to enthralled toddlers with its beautiful colours and is a great place to pose for some family photos. 

As I said, it is great if you are passing on the drive from Vegas to La however I probably wouldn’t make a special trip if you aren’t passing by anyway. 

Aquarium Mermaid Show at Silverton casino

Do you have a mermaid fan in the family. If your toddler like mine loves Ariel then be sure to check out the Mermaid show at the Silverton casino – an off strip hotel. 

This is quite special for toddlers as the mermaids swim amongst the fish and do tricks and play games. The show runs Thursday – Sunday but times very dependent of the season so be sure to check before you go. Mermaid swims tend to run all day at 15 minute intervals

Note; if you are traveling to Las Vegas with toddlers you probably only need to visit either this or the Mandalay Bay aquarium. Make room in your Las Vegas with family itinerary for one but I wouldn’t do two unless you are really keen on aquariums. 

Tip; if you don’t want to visit the Silverton casino our hotel – the Tahitian did a mermaid meet and greet by the pool on Sundays. It isn’t as good as this experience but is an alternative.

Neon Museum

My toddlers are always fascinated by lights. If yours are like mine be sure to stop at the Neon Museum. It contains Vegas memorabilia and signs from old that will dazzle any kids. 

Hoover Dam

Less thank 30 miles from Vegas, the Hoover dam is a perfect day trip from Vegas! It will be especially of interest to those at the older end of the age bracket with an engineering mind!

Tips for exploring the Las Vegas Strip with a toddler and young kids

• Explore by day as the nighttime can get rowdy
• Use the monorail especially in summer as it can get hot and uncomfortable for littles but do try and walk the strip at some point of your trip 
• Vegas can be expensive and shops with toddler essentials on the strip are few and far between so make sure you pack your day bag well!

FAQS About Visiting Las Vegas with toddlers and young kids 

What about visiting Las Vegas with a Baby? What are the best things to do with a baby in las vegas? 

In many ways visiting Las Vegas with a baby is even easier than with a toddler as you have to plan less activities for them. I would recommend doing most of the fountain shows and outdoor things if you are visiting Las Vegas with a baby and advise avoiding hotels with a casino. 

And if you are traveling to Las Vegas on a babymoon check out this post. 

Is las vegas a good place for family vacations?

Is Vegas a good place for family vacations? Overall I would say yes if you plan it properly. The only caveat to this is if you are looking to do lots of the shows and are travelling with a toddler you may find it difficult because of timings. However if you adjust your expectations I certainly think Las Vegas can be a good place for a family vacation. 

Should I Visit Vegas with a Toddler – Overall opinion of Las Vegas with a toddler

We had a great time exploring Vegas. There are lots of shows and things to see and we had a fabulous time. If I’m honest I enjoy the things nearby more than the actual strip because I love hiking so much but I think Vegas can offer a perfect blend of outdoor activity and Strip based fun even with a toddler.  

If you were to ask me “Should I Visit Vegas with a toddler”? My answer would be definitely yes. I loved Vegas so much so we have been numerous times with a toddler in tow. 

Would you or have you ever taken a toddler to Vegas? What are your thoughts?