Best Free and Cheap Things to do with Kids in Las Vegas in 2022

Las Vegas is often referred to as a playground for adults, but what about the little ones?  Need something in Las Vegas for kids?  They need to be entertained, rain or shine, or even snow!  Here are the BEST FREE and Cheap things to do with kids in Las Vegas on or near The Strip and Downtown area.  

While some of these attractions can get pricey, I want to include them on this list for anyone that may want to splurge while on vacation.  They are listed from what’s known as the south end of the Strip (Mandalay Bay) to the north end of the strip (Stratosphere), and also attractions for kids in the Downtown Las Vegas/Fremont Street area.  

Please keep in mind that some of these attractions aren’t suitable for children of all ages, as this list is for kids and teens on the Strip in Las Vegas and is purely informational.

Best Free and Cheap Las Vegas attractions for Kids on The Strip

The Welcome to Las Vegas sign– The “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, has been welcoming tourist to Las Vegas since 1959 and is one of the most iconic signs in the world.    At nearly twenty-five feet tall, the diamond shaped neon sign can be found in the median at 5100 Las Vegas Blvd. South. To get there, drive south on Las Vegas Blvd. just past Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.  There is a small adjacent parking lot, also in the center median, that is accessible only from the southbound lanes of Las Vegas Blvd.

The Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay–  Looking for somewhere ‘cool’ in Vegas to take your kids for an afternoon? Read on to learn about Shark Reef Aquarium tickets and discounts. Featuring more that 2,000 animals, Shark Reef Aquarium is comprised of nearly 1.6 million gallons of water in 14 exhibits, plus their Undersea Explorer VR Theater.  Hours of operation are Mon – Sun: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM.  Tickets start at $29 for adults with NV resident and senior discounts.   Children 4 and under are FREE.  See the link for all ticket prices, details and specials.

Tournament of Kings at Excalibur–   This is Las Vegas’ ultimate dinner and a show experience- for kids and adults alike.  This live-action production takes place in a 900-seat theater-in-the-round arena and immerses the audience in a tale of valor and treachery, adapted from the tale of King Arthur.  Valiant knights battle it out to prove their chivalry amongst special effects and pyrotechnics.  While knights fight, guests feast on a hearty dinner using the original utensil – your own hands. 

Tickets start at $41.87 plus tax and service fees.   All ages are welcome to attend and children 3 years and younger may attend free of charge, but must sit on the adult’s lap and share the adult’s meal.  Event dates and times are Mon & Fri at 6:00 PM, 
Wed, Thu, Sat & Sun at 6:00 PM & 8:30 PM.  They are dark on Tuesdays.  There is a dinnerless option as well at $44.87 plus tax and service fee, which includes admission to the 8:30 PM show only. These tickets are not available for purchase online, you must visit the Excalibur Box Office to purchase.  See the link for all dietary info and details.

Big Apple Roller Coaster and Arcade– Test your limits at over 67mph on the world’s first coaster to feature a 180-degree “heartline” twist and dive maneuver and 203ft drop.   More than 1.4 million riders check out this thrilling coaster each year.   Must be 54” without footwear to ride. Hours of operation are subject to weather conditions and other circumstances which may suspend service.  Tickets start at $19 with discounts for locals, military and first responders.  Hours of operation are Mon – Thu: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM and. Fri – Sun: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM.  See the link for more details.

M&M’s World Las Vegas & Hershey’s World– M&M’s World is four floors of fun and candy.  Kids love roaming through the store, where you can personalize M&M’s, check out the Nascar replica, and watch their 3D M&M’s movie starring Red and Yellow.  While you will certainly end up spending a little bit of money on those candies, the 3D movie is FREE.  Open daily 10am-9pm.  3D Movie is open until 8pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, and until 6pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.   M&Ms World is located in the Showcase Mall next to the MGM Hotel and Casino. (3785 South Las Vegas Blvd).  

Just across the street, at the New York New York Hotel and Casino, is another candy giant, Hershey’s Chocolate World.  It features over 800 Hershey’s Chocolates and Candies, including a sculpture of the Statue of Liberty made out of almost 800 lbs. of HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate.  Store hours are 9am-11pm Sunday –Thursday, and 9am-midnight Friday and Saturday.  (3790 South Las Vegas Blvd). You’ll be sure the kids will fulfill their candy fix visiting these two attractions.

The Bellagio Fountains– FREE-We’ve all seen them in the movies.  But, if you’ve never witnessed them in person, put it on your list.  With more than 1000 fountains lit up and dancing to music, it’s a spectacle that no one should miss.  And it’s FREE.   The music performances range from Broadway show tunes to Billie Jean and UpTown Funk.  My personal favorite is Con Te Partiro (Time to Say Goodbye) featuring Andrea Bocelli, because well, it’s Bocelli.   

The combination of lighting and music and the power of these fountains make for a very memorable experience.  Just be sure to arrive early to get the best view as it becomes crowded quickly.  Fountains run daily on weekdays starting at 3pm, Saturdays starting at noon, Sundays beginning at 11am and end at midnight.  The fountains are weather permitting as well, they will not run on really windy days.   The full schedule can be found here.

Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens– FREE-While checking out the fountains, head inside Bellagio just past the front desk to the 14,000 square foot Conservatory.  This is where the talented horticulture staff transforms the space seasonally using thousands of flowers and trees.  This masterpiece is open day and night and is always FREE to view.  “Flights of Fancy” is the current Spring 2022 installation and runs through May 14th.  They also offer a live web cam of the current display on their website, as well as past shows posted for viewing. 

Eiffel Tower Experience–  There’s no better view of the sparkling city lights of Vegas than 46 stories high on the viewing deck of the Eiffel Tower. Kids will love a ride in a glass elevator to the very top of the tower’s observation deck for some of the best photos of the 360-degree city views and popular landmarks.  The Viewing deck is open Monday, Thursday-Sunday from 3pm-10pm. Tickets begin at $24.50 and they offer discounts for Military, Locals, Seniors and occasionally Groupons.  They have a youth rate for 4-12 and kids 3 and under are FREE.  See the link for more details. 

The Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo– What kid doesn’t love animals? 15 acres of trees, ponds, and waterfalls house over 300 birds as well as turtles, swans, ducks, koi, goldfish, and yes, Chilean flamingos.  This peaceful and quiet attraction may have you forgetting you’re even in Las Vegas.   

The habitat is open seven days a week, Monday- Sunday from 7am-8pm and is always FREE.  Stop in daily at 8:30am and 2:00pm for Keeper Talks to learn more about this exciting wildlife habitat. You can find it inside the Flamingo hotel and casino, next to the pool area.

The LINQ Promenade– High Roller and FLY LINQ Zipline–  The historic Las Vegas skyline has changed with the World’s Tallest Observation Wheel, the High Roller at the LINQ.  Tickets online for the High Roller daytime run $20.50 for Adults, $7.50 for kids. Night tickets for Adults for $32.75,  and Kids are $16.50.  The High Roller at the LINQ is located at 3535 Las Vegas Blvd South. 

Did you bring you kids to Las Vegas for a thrill?  Grab those kids and fly at the speed of fun 12 stories above The LINQ Promenade on the Strip’s only zipline experience, FLY LINQ.  The zipline is open Thursday-Monday 4pm-midnight, riders must weigh between 60-300 pounds.  Grab your big kids and ride the zipline together.  Tickets range from $30-$40 with discounts for NV residents, Seniors & Military.  Or check out this Groupon for their current discount. 

The Volcano at the Mirage– Don’t miss this iconic attraction on the Las Vegas Strip.  Fire erupts from the water and towers of flame shooting into the sky from the giant volcano, all choreographed to music. The shows are nightly at 8PM, 9PM, 10PM and 11PM.  But, unfortunately,  the attraction is slated to be torn down to make way for a new guitar-shaped Hard Rock Hotel.  Dates for when the explosive show will go dark have not been announced, so see it while you can.  

Image: Madame Tussauds Las Vegas face book

Madame Tussauds Las Vegas–  Visit the world’s greatest wax museum, Madame Tussauds at the Venetian.  Look for it under the bell tower, just across the Strip from The Mirage.  Adults and kids alike will enjoy seeing and taking photos with more than 150 lifelike figures of your favorite celebrities.  Also, feel the power of your favorite Marvel Super Heroes in Madame Tussauds Las Vegas’ new thrilling 4D movie!  Help Captain Marvel, Thor, Black Panther, Rocket, Spider-Man, Ant-Man and the wasp as they battle Loki in a bid to save the world.  

Tickets to the Wax Museum start at $36.99, add admission to the Marvel Universe 4D movie for $43.99.  The tour through the attraction is self-guided. It should take you approximately 60 to 90 minutes to complete your tour, and strollers are welcome.  Madame Tussaud’s is open daily from 10am-8pm.  

Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat– Come face-to-face with some of nature’s most exotic and majestic creatures at Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. Kids will love to explore, learn and play in an enchanting world of Bottlenose Dolphins, White Tigers, White Lions and Leopards, right here in Las Vegas.  Located at The Mirage, hours are Monday – Sunday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, with last entry at 5:00 PM.  November 5 – December 31: Monday – Sunday 10:00 – 5:00 PM.  Adult tickets are $25 and children 4-12 are $19, but they offer NV resident, Senior and Military Discount tickets for less.  Children 3 and under are free.  

For a super splurge option, go for the Meet & Greet package, starting at $100 per person.  Meet, feed and pose for a photo with one of our bottlenose dolphins. See the link for more details.

Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.– At MARVEL AVENGERS  S.T.A.T.I.O.N, you can delve into the history, science, engineering, genetics, technology and profiles of Captain America, Hulk, Thor and Iron Man.  Located inside Treasure Island Hotel & Casino, kids will love this immersive experience that brings them into the world of The Avengers. 

Tickets for the AVENGERS attraction are priced at $40 for adults ages 12+, $30 for kids 4-11, and FREE to kids 3 and under.   Hours are 11 am – 5 pm, last tour starts at 4 pm.  Please see the link for discount ticket codes, and offers from Yelp.  

Circus Circus Carnival Midway–   Located inside the Circus Circus, the world’s largest permanent circus, the Carnival Midway brings world class circus acts to the stage for all.   The Midway features loads of games and prizes, as well as an arcade, but the circus acts are FREE.    The midway surrounds the circus stage which showcases free world class circus acts daily starting at 1:30 PM. Extended hours during holidays and summer vacations.  They feature jugglers, clowns, hand balancers, as well as trapeze artists.  Hours for the Midway are Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-11pm. 

Adventuredome at Circus Circus–  Kids will love Las Vegas’ giant indoor theme park. The Adventuredome features rides from tame to daredevil.  All-day ride wristbands are $30 (under 48″) and $60 (over 48″) and valid for single day use.  You can check out the ride selection, as well as the arcade and 4D theater options here.   

Las Vegas Thrill Rides at The Strat–  Shoot up into the air, spin around at 3Gs, or take a coaster ride,  all at 1149 ft off the ground. The SkyPod at The STRAT is the highest observation tower in the United States.  Tickets start at $29 for choice of one thrill ride and entrance to the Skypod observation deck.  Choose from Big Shot, Insanity or X-Scream.  Or, take a heart-pounding leap at speeds topping 40mph from the SkyPod, 829 feet high above the Las Vegas Strip, on SkyJump Powered by MTN DEW. This heart-pounding, open-air attraction holds the Guinness World Record as the highest commercial decelerator descent facility.  Check their FAQs page for height and weight information. 

Best Free and Cheap Things for Kids in Las Vegas- Downtown

Container Park Treehouse

Tree House & Play Zone at Container Park–   More FREE and cheap fun for kids just a few blocks from the Fremont Street Experience, open air shopping park has something for everyone. Downtown Container Park is home to an interactive play area, which features The Treehouse, a one-of-a-kind, dynamic environment where both children and adults can have fun and be active while exploring their creativity. Kids will love the 33 ft slide coming out of this 40’ high shipping container tree house, with lots of room to run.  Shop, grab a bite to eat and let the kiddos play.   Retail and dining open at 11, and the container park is 21+ after 9pm.

Fremont Street Experience–  There’s so much to do Downtown at the Fremont Street Experience.  From free live music, to the Viva Vision Light Show, to the Slotzilla Zipline, there’s something for everyone. Kids will love the Shark Tank at the Golden Nugget, and the light shows begin daily at 6pm.  Zipline rides start at $39, and the minimum weight is 50 lbs.  Check out the FAQs page for more details and the link for tickets.   Please keep in mind that Fremont Street may not be appropriate for kids of all ages. 

Discovery Children’s Museum–  DISCOVERY Children’s Museum is the top interactive museum in the Las Vegas Valley, welcoming children and families to explore three floors packed with heart-pounding fun, adventure and discovery. If you have kids, it’s the Best Museum to let them explore in Las Vegas.. Please see their plan a visit page for all pricing, discounts and hours info -as their hours change throughout the year.  Discovery Children’s Museum participates in Bank Of America’s Museums on Us program as well. 

The Neon Museum–  Visit the signs of the past.  You can experience the magic, day or night!  Keep in mind, night tours feature the fabulous neon of the 11 restored signs, and the beautifully and dramatically lit un-restored signs.  Tickets range from $20 for day visits to $45 adult night visits, and they offer NV resident, senior, military and student discounts.  Due to frequent sell-out nights, advance ticket purchase is highly recommended, you may need to book tickets weeks in advance. Check availability on the tickets page before purchase, there are lots of ticket options.  Become a member today and start enjoying FREE admission! Children aged six and under are always free.  

Las Vegas Natural History Museum– *This museum is just on the north side of the Fremont area.  From Nevada to Africa, from prehistoric times to the present, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum will take kids and adults on an adventure around the world.  It features many exhibits, including Rainforest Adventure, Treasures of Egypt, and the Marine Life Gallery.

The museum is open daily from 9 AM-4 PM. Admission is $12 – Adults, $10 – Senior Citizens, Military, Students (Ages 12 and older), $6 – Children (Ages 3 to 11), Free – Children (Ages 2 and younger) and Las Vegas Natural History Museum members.  If you are a Bank of America member, each cardholder will receive free admission on the first full weekend of each month, so plan ahead. (900 Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89101)

Want some more of the best free and cheap kids options here in Vegas? Why not take the kids to one of these Free museum visits once a month in Las Vegas, or visit one of our Indoor Play Places in Las Vegas.  Want to get away from the city?  There are lots of Things to do at Lake Mead, but my kids just love feeding the fish and the birds.

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