Best Things to Do with Kids in Las Vegas

One of the world's tallest observation wheels, the 550-foot-tall High Roller is a great place to take the kids. Riders of all ages are sure to be in awe of the jaw-dropping views of the Strip and city down below as they ride in one of the attraction's sleek pods. Beverages are available for sale before you board, and the pods are air conditioned so everyone will stay comfortable for the 30-minute ride, even during summer. Youth pricing is available for kids aged ages 4-12, and children ages 3 and younger are free with a paid adult. The area surrounding the High Roller is also worth exploring, since it's filled with shops, restaurants and attractions.

With five acres of indoor fun, The Adventuredome at Circus Circus is the perfect Las Vegas attraction for families, or those who are just kids at heart. Offering plenty of rides and things to do, including a mini golf course and laser tag, the park has attractions for kids of all ages. One of Adventuredome's rides, El Loco, gives riders a 72-second, adrenaline-pumping ride complete with a 90-foot ascent followed by a greater-than-straight-down diving drop that produces a negative 1.5 vertical G. Other hair-raising rides include Chaos, Inverter and The Adventuredome's first roller coaster, Canyon Blaster, which reaches speeds of up to 55 miles per hour. The all-day pass is the best deal if you're interested in riding several of the premium rides, although you need to be 48 inches or taller for an all-day pass.

Topgolf in Las Vegas combines golf with food, music, and loads of high-def TVs. It's a place where both kids and adults can have a good time. Guests rent bays that allow them to hit golf balls and play a wide range of games. You don't need to be a golf pro to enjoy the games. It's designed to be fun for everyone, whether you've golfed before or not. Golf clubs are supplied, and the golf balls are micro-chipped and keep score without help from any humans. Food and beverages are available throughout the venue, including bottle service for the adults. The first two floor are open to kids and adults, while the third and fourth floors are restricted to guests 21+. Reservations aren't required, but are highly recommended.

For a roaring good time, take the kids to this 6.2-acre ranch in Henderson, which is home to more than 40 majestic lions, many from the same bloodline as the original real-life MGM lion. When the MGM Grand's lion exhibit on the Strip was open, the Ranch brought lions in every day and at night they came back home for care and rest. Now that the exhibit is closed, its lions live full-time at the Ranch. Guests can walk the grounds and see the animals or partake in an unforgettable interactive feeding session for an additional fee. Private tours of the Lion Habitat Ranch are also available for guests to watch the lions being bathed and fed. In addition to lions, the ranch has emus, ostriches, guinea hens, macaws, cockatoos and a young giraffe named Ozzie, making it one of Las Vegas' wildest attractions.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area sits just outside the western edge of Las Vegas. The area is full of photo-worthy natural beauty and rugged red rock formations. A stop at the visitor center is a must for those who haven't been to the area. This portion of the Mojave Desert is home to a tremendous number of rare plant and animal species as well as historic sites. While visitors can opt to bike, hike or rock-climb in Red Rock, most people choose to drive the 13-mile scenic loop, which has plenty of stops for hikes and pictures. Look out for wildlife, including burros, one of the most commonly sighted animals. Picnic tables can be found in the Willow Springs area. Depending on the time of you visit, reservations may be required for timed entry on the scenic loop; check the website for details.

A walk through the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is fun for everyone in the family. This aquarium holds nearly 1.6 million gallons of water in 14 major exhibits and is the only facility in Nevada accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The theme here is tropical island shipwreck, with plenty of faux artifacts and climbing plants. Guests can see a Komodo Dragon, green sea turtles, jelly fish and piranhas, along with 12 types of sharks. The exhibit holds 100 species, and more than 2,000 animals are on display. The Shark Reef also offers a VR experience in a 36-seat motion-platform theater that takes you on a journey to the South Pacific, with plenty of undersea adventures.

Located minutes from the Strip, this award-winning 180-acre family destination is dedicated to exploring green-living, desert life and Las Vegas' vibrant history. The Preserve is home to botanical gardens, interactive science and nature exhibits, animal shows and trails. Historic buildings and sites include a spring house and other remnants from early settlers. The Butterfly Exhibit is a must-see when it's open, generally in spring and fall. Families can interact with hands-on exhibits at the Origen Museum to learn about the Las Vegas Valley, or venture outside and observe native wildlife to see what kinds of animals live in the harsh environment of the Mojave Desert. Don't miss Origen's flash flood exhibit, which offers a realistic flash flood simulation complete with rushing water.

Not many places associated with the word "museum" are such a hands-on experience, but the PHoF is packed with pinball machines from all eras. Known as both the Pinball Hall of Fame (PHoF) and the Pinball Museum, this is an unusual collection by any measure. The 25,000-square-foot non-profit museum is dedicated purely to pinball. This Vegas gem hosts a massive collection of machines, many of which date to 1950 and most of which come from the celebrated heydays of pinball, 1960 to 1980. Every game is operational, so revisit all of your old-time favorites! Older machines are set to 25 cents for play and newer models go for 50 cents--either way, a real bargain for an afternoon or evening of fun.

Located in the Donald W. Reynolds Discovery Center in a three-story, 58,000-square-foot building adjacent to The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, this interactive children's museum features more than 26,000 square feet of exhibit space, including a 5,000-square-foot traveling exhibition gallery. DISCOVERY offers exhibits in science and nature, arts and culture and does it all in a hands-on style that families can enjoy together. Guests of all ages can watch daily demonstrations and participate in various programs and activities. One must-see exhibit is "Water World," where visitors can interact with models of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam bypass bridge. The museum also features a desert-themed exhibition, Toddler Town, that's specifically designed for children under five years of age.

Spanning 23 acres, Cowabunga Bay water park in Henderson is one of Las Vegas' coolest places to take the kids. Offering something for everyone, there are water slides in all sizes and shapes (not to mention speeds). You'll find surf and swim pools and an extra-fun kids' play area with pint-sized slides and tipping buckets to drench the unsuspecting. Thrill seekers are sure to love rides like Wild Surf, where people can ride on a four-person raft that drops from 60 feet into the swell of a massive wave. For a different kind of wave-related experience, try the Surf-A-Rama Wave Pool, where the swells go four feet high. Plentiful seating, lockers and food are available at various points throughout the park, as well as adult beverages for the over-21 crowd.