Las Vegas has an expensive reputation, and for good reason. But the city also has more genuinely free family attractions than almost anywhere else in the country — the casinos that pay for them do not care if you watch for free. Here is what things actually cost, organized from free to splurge.
Free Activities in Las Vegas
Las Vegas free is real free. No hidden fees, no parking required if you walk.
Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens — /bin/zsh. Walk in off the Strip, zero admission. Full-scale seasonal botanical displays that change four times a year. 20–40 minutes. Self-park at Bellagio or approach on foot from nearby hotels.
Caesars Forum Shop Atlantis Aquarium — /bin/zsh admission. Free fish display in the Forum Shops. Not a full aquarium, but fish-obsessed kids will spend 20–45 minutes here happily. Budget for parking (/bin/zsh if walking from the Strip).
Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary — /bin/zsh. Donations encouraged but admission is free. A genuine wildlife sanctuary in Centennial Hills with rescued birds and animals. Drive required; call ahead for current hours and access.
Exploration Peak Park — /bin/zsh. Free public park with a summit trail and Las Vegas valley views. Pack water, sunscreen, and snacks. Start before 8 AM in summer.
Fox Hill Park — /bin/zsh. Free park in Summerlin with play equipment and open space.
Mountain's Edge Regional Park — /bin/zsh. Free Clark County park with quality play equipment.
Rainbow Family Park — /bin/zsh. Free public park in Charleston neighborhood.
East Las Vegas Family Park — /bin/zsh. Free public park in East Las Vegas.
Town Square Park — Playground and park access are free. Budget – if you eat and shop at the surrounding Town Square complex.
Downtown Container Park playground — Free entry to the playground. Budget – per person for food and beverages if you stay for food. Total estimate: –+.
Budget Picks (Under for a Family of 4)
CSN Planetarium — – for a family of four (tickets ~–/person at community college pricing). One of Las Vegas's most underrated family experiences. 1–1.5 hours per show.
Botanical Garden at the Springs Preserve — – for a family of four (Springs Preserve admission ~–/adult, children reduced). The combo ticket covers the garden, Origen Museum, and Butterfly Habitat for 3–4 hours of content.
Origen Museum — – included with Springs Preserve combo admission.
Butterfly Habitat — – included with Springs Preserve combo admission.
Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast — – (admission ~–/person). 2–3 hours.
Fidgets Indoor Playground & Party Place — – (admission ~–/child, café items available). 2–3 hours.
Toodley Town — – (admission ~–/child). 1.5–2.5 hours.
The Discovery — – (adults ~–, children ~–). Downtown Las Vegas children's science museum. 2–3 hours.
Atomic Museum — – (adults ~, children 6–17 ~, under 6 free). 1.5–2.5 hours.
Las Vegas Science & Natural History Museum — – (adults ~, children ~). 2–3 hours.
Mid-Range Activities (– for a Family of 4)
Kids Empire Las Vegas Silverado Ranch — – (admission ~–/child, socks required). 2–3 hours.
Kids Empire Henderson — – (admission ~–/child, adults often free or reduced). 2–3 hours.
Wally Wombats — – (admission ~–/child). 2–3 hours.
Kangamoo Indoor Playground — – (admission ~–/child, adults often free). 2–3 hours.
Xplozone Trampoline Park — – (admission ~–/person per timed session). 1.5–2.5 hours.
Dinosaur Outpost — – (admission ~/person). 1–2 hours.
Kinderland Indoor Play and Cafe — – (admission ~–/child, café food for parents). 2–3 hours.
One World Interactive Aquarium — – for a family of four. Check for online discount codes. 1–2 hours.
Uptown Jungle Fun Park — – (admission ~–/child). 2–3 hours.
Bouncy World Indoor Mega Playland & Cafe — – (admission ~/child + café food). 2–3 hours.
Kidstopia Las Vegas Indoor Playground — – (admission ~–/child, adults often free). 2–3 hours.
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium — – (adults ~–, children 3–12 ~–). 2–4 hours.
Ninja Kidz Action Park - Las Vegas — – for a family of four including entry and basic food. 2–3 hours.
LOL Kids Club - Las Vegas — – (admission ~–/child + food options). 2–3 hours.
Slime Kitchen — – (slime-making session ~–/child). Fashion Show Mall on the Strip. 45–90 minutes.
Flip N Out Xtreme - Henderson — – (trampolines ~–/person/session + laser tag extra). 2–3 hours.
Infinity Museum — – (tickets ~–/person). 1–2 hours.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park — – (admission ~–/person per 90-min session). 1.5–2.5 hours.
Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix Family Fun Center — – for a family with 2–3 go-kart rides each plus games. 2–3 hours.
Museum of Illusions - Las Vegas — – (adults ~, kids ~–, Strip location). 1–1.5 hours.
K1 Speed - Indoor Go Karts — – (2 races per person ~– each, 2 kids + 2 adults). 1–2 hours.
Splurge-Worthy Experiences (Over )
The Adventuredome Indoor Theme Park — – for all-day ride passes for a family of four. Inside Circus Circus on the Strip. Full roller coasters, rides, and midway games in a climate-controlled indoor park. If you want a true theme park day without driving to California, this is it. 3–5 hours minimum.
Sphere — –+ (tickets ~–+/person). The most technologically advanced entertainment experience in Las Vegas. Film experiences run ~50 minutes; the technology is unlike anything kids have seen. Splurge only if your kids are genuinely old enough to appreciate it (10+ recommended).
Dig This - Las Vegas — – for a family. This is the ultimate big-kids activity: real construction equipment (bulldozers, excavators) operated by your child under supervision. –+ per participant. For the kid who has always wanted to drive heavy machinery, nothing else compares.
Money-Saving Tips for Las Vegas Families
- Book online. Ninja Kidz, Slime Kitchen, and most indoor parks have web pricing lower than walk-up rates.
- Combo tickets at Springs Preserve. One admission covers the Botanical Garden, Origen Museum, and Butterfly Habitat — three separate experiences for one price.
- The Bellagio Conservatory and Caesars Aquarium are legitimately great and cost nothing. Use them as transition activities between paid stops.
- Eat before entering any paid attraction. Food inside The Adventuredome, Ninja Kidz, and Sky Zone is expensive.
- Weekday afternoons are cheaper and less crowded at most trampoline parks and indoor play venues.
- Downtown Container Park is free to enter. You only spend if you choose to eat.
- Parks beat paid play for a partial day. Exploration Peak Park, Fox Hill Park, and Mountain's Edge Regional Park are all free and give kids real outdoor time.
What a Typical Family Spends
1-day budget trip: Bellagio Conservatory (/bin/zsh) + Springs Preserve combo (–) + Downtown Container Park (/bin/zsh entry + – food) + packed snacks = – total
1-day mid-range trip: Ninja Kidz (–) + Exploration Peak Park (/bin/zsh) + The Discovery or museum (–) = – total
2-day with a splurge: - Day 1: The Adventuredome (–) + Bellagio Conservatory (/bin/zsh) = ~– - Day 2: Springs Preserve combo (–) + Slime Kitchen (–) + free park = ~– - 2-day total: – in activities before food and lodging
Bottom Line
Las Vegas can eat your budget fast if you say yes to everything. It can also be a surprisingly affordable family destination if you build around the genuinely free options — the Bellagio Conservatory, the parks, the Container Park playground — and choose one or two paid experiences that match your kids specifically. Know what you're walking into before you go.