Child’s Play

Over the years, Las Vegas has transformed from a city of sin into a family destination and back again. But fear not, parents, there are still plenty of things for kids to see and do.

For travelers with young ones, the best place to stay and play is Circus Circus (702.734.0410), which just remodeled more than 1,900 of its guest rooms. Not only does the resort feature its own five-acre indoor theme park, the Adventuredome, it also houses a massive midway sure to keep visitors of all ages entertained. While you’re at the big top, be sure to check out the resort’s newest attraction, the Chuck Jones Experience. At this tribute to the legendary animator and his timeless work, visitors can get an up-close view of some of Jones’ most beloved characters, like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. The exhibit also includes the largest collection of original Chuck Jones animation and fine art anywhere in the world (more than 250 pieces).

If the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote happen to spark your kid’s interest in desert living, head on over to the Las Vegas Springs Preserve (333 S. Valley View Blvd., 702.822.7700), which offers an array of activities designed specifically for young visitors. The kid-friendly Living Collections exhibit explains how desert animals are able to adapt to survive the extreme temperatures and dry climate of the Mojave and features a variety of native mammals, reptiles and invertebrates. The Nature Exchange, meanwhile, offers young collectors a place where they can trade in the stuff they found at the preserve — shells, rocks, pine cones and the like — in order to learn more about them from the specially trained Nature Exchange staff.

If your kids are old enough to know when they’re being tricked into doing something educational during their summer vacation, perhaps you should satisfy their need for speed instead. Pole Position Raceway (702.227.7223), an indoor karting track with locations near the Palms and in Summerlin, offers high-performance European karts that reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour. Junior karts are available for kids, so riders only need to be 48 inches tall to race on the facility’s quarter-mile course.

Finally, Las Vegas wouldn’t be the entertainment capital of the world if it didn’t offer a few shows perfect for ticket holders of all ages. One of the city’s longest-running family friendly productions is Excalibur’s “Tournament of Kings” (702.597.7600), which recently introduced new elaborate costumes and set pieces. The jousting dinner show comes complete with a tasty three-course feast that includes Dragon’s Blood (tomato soup) and Cornish game hen. Not only will kids love pounding on the table as they cheer for their king (ticket holders are seated in sections that correspond to a specific king), but they’ll love eating their meal with their fingers, as no utensils are provided (in order to give guests an authentic medieval dining experience). What kid doesn’t like to play with his food?

—Heather Turk
Custom Publishing Writer