Kids Activities On The Las Vegas Strip

A glitzy four and a half-mile stretch of road, more formally known as Las Vegas Boulevard, the Strip offers one spectacle after another. Children of all ages will enjoy the Strip's unique activities. Only in Las Vegas can you find a pyramid next to a castle next to the Statue of Liberty. When the day is over, even the pickiest eaters will find something to enjoy at one of the inexpensive, kid-friendly buffets. Maybe they'll even settle down at night and let you go off to the casinos.

Walking

Walk the Strip and you'll find yourself strolling past dancing fountains, pirates fighting and an exploding volcano. Covering the whole Strip would take a few hours, so you might want to divide your walking tour into two days. Or you can fall back on trams and trolleys if the going gets hot. The air conditioned mega-resorts provide plenty of indoor-walking space. Keep in mind, casinos are off-limits to anyone under 21.

Swimming

Swimming is a way to cool off after all the day's activities and, this being Las Vegas, many of the pools are bigger and more dramatic than any pools you have ever seen. The Flamingo's lagoon shaped pool is set on a 15-acre tropical retreat. Kids will enjoy the waterfalls and water slide. The MGM Grand's pool complex offers five pools plus a winding river kids can tube down.

Animal Watching

Go see the Chilean flamingos strut at the Flamingo Hotel. The resort's wildlife habitat also offers ducks, koi and turtles. If your kids would rather see something more dangerous, you can check out the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, the white tigers at the Mirage or the lions at the MGM Grand.

Rides

Las Vegas is definitely the place for thrill-seekers. One ride that is hard to miss is the roller coaster in front of the New York-New York Hotel, right on the Strip. Adventuredome Theme Park at Circus Circus Hotel claims the world's only double-loop, double-corkscrew roller coaster. Younger kids will enjoy bumper cars and clown shows. At The Venetian Hotel, you can ride on gondolas.

Shows

Magic shows, circus acts, celebrity performances, plays and musicals; Las Vegas offers every type of show imaginable. The Tournament of Kings show at the Excalibur Hotel presents a medieval dinner with jousting and fireworks. Children under three can go for free. Families will find a number of free activities, such as the trapeze shows at the Circus Circus Hotel, available on the Strip.

Museums

One of the best educational activities for kids on the Strip is the Lied Discovery Children's Museum. On display are an interactive Green Village and a Desert Discovery space. The Imperial Palace Hotel has a classic car display and the Bellagio has a Gallery of Fine Art. Older kids may enjoy the Tropicana's Las Vegas Mob Experience attraction, displaying artificats and videos about famed Mafia figures.

Tennis

A night-time game of tennis can be a fun activity for kids. Several hotels offer lighted tennis courts. The Flamingo's courts benefit from cooling mists from the nearby pool. Bally's and the Riviera also offer tennis lessons and a pro shop.