This is a sponsored post written by Casey of @caseyeanderson on behalf of London Littles. All opinions are 100% hers.
When people hear that we live in Las Vegas and LOVE it, they're usually confused. But the Las Vegas area actually has a ton of family friendly places to visit and activities to do together! After living here for three years we have explored a lot of what the area has to offer, so I've teamed up with London Littles to share our kid's adventure guide to Las Vegas!
Best Times of Year to Visit
One of my favorite things about living in Las Vegas is the lack of winter! While it can get cold here, the majority of the year has fantastic weather. My favorite months are usually October-May when the weather is between 60-80 degrees. If you plan to come during the summer, expect it to be hot and plan accordingly! Since we are in the middle of summer now, I am going to share some of our favorite ways to beat the heat.
NANI Ruffle Swimsuit | Darling Dots Swimsuit
Summer Activities with Kids in Las Vegas
1. Splash pads - Henderson has some of the coolest splash pads I have ever seen! Our favorite is at Reunion Trails, it's a huge splash pad so even when there are lots of people it doesn't feel crowded. There's a river area for smaller kids and giant squirt guns for older kids. There's also an adjacent shaded playground for when your kids get bored and want to mix things up! The park has bathrooms, picnic tables, and some shaded benches. I recommend getting here early (around 10 am) to grab the shaded spot on the grass under the trees!
***Tips: there is no shaded parking so your car will get really hot. Bring a spray bottle to cool down seats and plan to have the A/C going before loading everyone up. Bring beach buckets like THESE (easy to travel with) for your kids to play with in the water.
2. Resort Pool - Several of the resorts have pools that non guests can access! Green Valley Resort's pool looks amazing with beach entry and sand to play in, but it's pretty expensive for a day pass. For something cheaper, consider the M resort pool! They usually have discounted entry on certain days/times so you can access a great pool for a decent price.
3. Rec Center Pools - For a fun mashup between pool and splash pad, check out the Henderson Multigenerational Center activity pool! It has water slides, beach entry, water features, truly something for every age! Admission is affordable, but hours are limited so check out the website before you go!
4. Discovery Children's Museum - located more central in Vegas, this is an awesome place to spend several hours in air conditioning! There is so much to do here, with multiple levels and rooms of activities and experiments for kids of various ages. We went for the first time when my girls were 3 and 1 and they had a blast! Check out their website HERE to make a reservation and purchase tickets.
5. Uptown Jungle - if your kids need somewhere cool to burn off their energy, take them to Uptown Jungle! This indoor playground features trampolines, giant slides, climbing walls, obstacle courses and more. There are locations in Henderson and North Vegas. Bring your own grip socks or plan to purchase them at the door, this is the perfect place for adults and kids to play together! No outside food or drinks are allowed, but you can purchase various items inside the park.
6. The District // Downtown Summerlin - For a fun area to walk around, shop, and grab food, check out the District in Henderson or Downtown Summerlin! On cooler days, we like picking up lunch from Shake Shack or Me Gusta Tacos at the District, and eating at picnic tables while the kids play in the splash pad. I really love that there are bathrooms right by the splash pad, since we always end up needing those!
**Tips: If you're looking for a family friendly date night spot check out the live music and free movie schedules at the District! Events run through the summer!
7. Cowabunga Bay - for a full day of fun in the sun, consider checking out Cowabunga Bay water park! I'd say this is geared more towards older kids, but there is an area for younger ones as well. We love the lazy river and the wave pool, but there are lots of thrill slides too! Admission is more expensive, but you can check Groupon for day pass deals.
8. Mermaid Swims - Do your kids love mermaids? Take them to the Silverton Casino to see an incredible aquarium and live mermaids! Sightings are scheduled, and mermaids will even interact with the guests. Best part of all, admission is free!
Tips for Visiting Las Vegas in the Summer
Vegas temperatures can be 115 for weeks at a time during the summer, so you need to be prepared for that kind of heat! Bring lots of water, and read this post for tips on keeping your car cool. We generally like to do everything outside before 12pm, after that it can get too hot to leave the air conditioning! Bring hats, sunscreen, and stay in the shade as much as possible. We basically live in our swimsuits all summer long!
Favorite Places to Eat
If your family is anything like ours, you want to know the best places to get food unique to where you're visiting! Here are a few of our favorite places to eat, and what we order!
1. Taco y Taco - this place gets busy, so consider going during non peak hours! The lines are confusing as heck, but the employees are happy to help you. I always order the carne asada gran taco and the al pastor taco, my husband really likes the carne asada burritos! The restaurant has a fun vibe, definitely try to sit down and eat if you have the time!
2. Nielson's Frozen Custard - after eating tacos, walk across the street to Nielson's for dessert! The restaurant has relics and antiques covering the walls from different movie sets, and it's a fun retro diner vibe!
3. Shake Shack - located in the District, this is a great place for families! Lots of kid friendly options and located in a fun part of town. Play games in the restaurant, and hit the splash pad after!
4. Pop Drinks - if you just need a snack, Pop Drinks is a must visit! Mix and make your own soda flavors, and grab a bag of popcorn or a fudge cookie for a sweet treat to go.
5. The Steamie Weenie - the gourmet hot dogs you never knew you needed! This is a fun spot to try different hot dog toppings that go above and beyond the norm. If you have a picky eater, their kids menu is super simple!
The Strip
Did you notice that I didn't recommend anything to do on the Strip? My kids have NEVER been, and I've only gone twice since living here! There are so many things to do that don't involve going to the Strip if that isn't your thing, and I wanted to highlight that. If you are staying on the Strip and looking for activities to do, I would check out the Bellagio fountains, the M&M factory, Treasure Island's volcano show, and the aquarium.
Check out London Littles for the cutest kids swimwear! We have loved their rain boots for years and it's so fun seeing them add cute clothing to their site!