I love Las Vegas and first took my kids when my youngest was about 8. He loved it and there was loads to do and see. I wouldn't have wanted to spend 2 weeks there however; as part of a US holiday its great.

Bridd

The Hard Rock Hotel has a good pool that a 7 year old is welcome to use with cool water slides and a lazy river and beach.
Underwater rock music ect, a great arcade, reasonable priced room service at the pool.

Gameworks a must for any kid any age.

The Mandelay Bay Hotel is just too crowded, and the pool is too packed with people.

A teriffic place for kids (and perhap a secret) is the Monte Carlo Hotel.
A lazy river, a wave pool, not sure if it's for your 7 year old, though when my son was 7 he loved it.

Hopefully, the Las Vegas waterpark on the strip is, or has by now been demolished and will never return.

The jousting show at the Excalibur is excellent for a 7 year old. There are two entertainment levels at the Excalibur. One is games, the other is shows and restaurants.

Make sure to see the free kids shows on the restaurant level.
A puppet show beyond any I've ever seen anyplace. Contortionists, all kinds of neat, unique kids acts that are bigger than life.
OK restaurants, not great, just OK.

The above is the stuff my kids loved,, and I think you're really cool for taking your kids along.

If the restaurant "Dive" is still in Biz at the mall on the strip, that is a must see.
I heard rumored it may close. Nice atmosphere, but the menu was over the top gourmet for a kids place.

As fun as the kids all had, they loved Florida more, and so did I.

Hi
We went with our two girls who were 7 & 9
We stayed at Circus Circus
not only was it really reasonable but the buffet breakfast was really good and they have their own circus performances and pleasure dome.
If I went to vegas again this would definately be my first choice.
Lovely hotel if you have kids.
I'm sure they have a website where you can get a tour of the hotel.
Good luck & enjoy your holiday
Stef

Hi poppyz

If you were thinking of choosing Las Vegas OR Florida to go with your kids I personally would go to Florida. I have been to both and took the kids to both and they much preferred Florida. They could go anywhere in Florida but in Las Vegas they are more restricted. They can go in most casinos but must not stand still near machines etc. We took them in a helicopter over the Grand Canyon which they enjoyed but they would still choose Florida every time!

If I ever go back to Vegas I would wait until the kids are much older or go without them as, I felt, it is more of an adults place.

I don't want to put you off though if you had settled on Vegas. There is plenty for them to do. Looking round all the hotels, i.e. Paris, New York New York, Venetian etc. is fun in itself. The MGM has tigers, The Flamingo surprisingly has flamingos (!!) and The Mirage has dolphins.

I hope I have been of some help and not put you off anything!!

Have fun wherever you decide

jenny

CAN ANYONE GIVE ME INFO ON WHERE TO GO WITH CHILD AGED 11YS,,WE ARE STAYING AT THE ORLEANS CASINO AS IT HAS A LARGE 70 LANE BOWLING ALLEY WHICH HE LOVES,,BUT IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HEAR FROM OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED VEGAS WITH KIDS,,WE WERE GOING TO BOOK CIRCUS CIRCUS BUT WORKMATES CAME BACK AND SAID IT WAS VERY RUNDOWN,,WE HAVE HIRED A CAR FOR 4DAYS ALSO,,THANKS

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Pippy

we are going to vegas on 2march for 1 week with our 11 year old,,we would like to take in a show and wondered if anyone had seen " v" the ultimate veriety show, as this seems to be the only show suitable,or does any one have any ideas,,we would also like to drive to death valley,,anyone know how long this would take,,

I wouldn't have wanted to spend 2 weeks there however; as part of a US holiday its great.

We agree. Two weeks would be too long for a child on Vegas (great for adults ), Dont forget that whilst there is lots to do they are only allowed to walk directly through the casino areas, so if you were thinking of spending time gambling you would need to do it in shifts.
When my daughter was younger we used to fly into Las Angeles and do Disney ect then drive to Vegas for 6 days then back to LA and do Knotts berry farm ect.
Graham & Kathy

Walkers, we are also going in March with our 2 children aged 10 and 12. I have read up on just about all the shows and booked Mystere and Legends in Concert both of which will appeal to my 2. Other recommendations were the Excalibur and Mama Mia. There's quite a good website http://www.lasvegaskids.net that might give you some tips.

Hello

Youw ill be fine taking a 7 year old to Vegas! Kids love it! There is a big aquapark and hundreds of other things to do, like mini golf, train rides, the fairground rides within the hotels/casinos etc. Some of the free shows are well worth a visit. You can pick a list up from the hotel receptions or the tourist info. It tells you what time they are on etc.

Las Vegas is for little kids and big kids alike!

Enjoy!

EJH

There is no longer an aqua park in Las Vegas. Wet n' Wild closed down a few years ago and hasn't been replaced.

I also haven't noticed any mini golf there, which hotel is it in?

luci

Oh I see. I was last in LV in May 2003 and the water park was there then, so it obviously closed down shortly after that. Sorry about the wrong info.

The mini golf is in Circus Circus, I believe it is called Pikes Pass or something like that.

The main point of my thread was to highlight that there is lots for a 7 year old to do in Las Vegas and it was certainly worth poppyz investigating.

Regards
EJH

We are staying for 3 nights in August and have booked a 1 bed apartment, The Carriage House. 1 block back from mid strip. I think behined Treasure Island? We payed £300 for the 3 nights.

Decided on an apartment because we can make our own breakfasts if we want as fully fitted kitchen and more space. This accomodation does not have a casino either which we felt was an advantage to a family. Not sure if they have a pool but for 3 nights it was not required.

We have booked a trip horse riding and camp fire bbq for one evening and plan to take a trip over the Grand Canyon. Our 8 year old wants to go to the Luxor for the museum and also Elvis.

We did a two centre holiday with our kids in 2000. Las Vegas for 3 days, then Orlando for 14 nights.

Booked our flights with United Vacations (which is much cheaper than booking with United for some strange reason), who give you up to 3 free stopovers with your flights. So, Las Vegas was basically classed as a stopover to Orlando (or the other way round). Anyway, this was very economical.

Our kids were 6 and 3, and we all had a really good time. The only thing I would say was that due to the huge time difference (7 hours I think), the first night is really only suitable for sleeping! So next time, I would go for 4 or 5 nights so that we're not too knackered.

We stayed in Circus Circus, and felt that it was OK, but compared to the other hotels, it was quite shabby, with a strange layout. I think it has had lots of extensions at different times, and there are funny corridors everywhere. It does have a lot of things on for kids though, like an indoor rollercoaster, circus tent, and various other stuff. It has a lovely steakhouse, and mexican restaurant (and also a McD's). Didn't use the pool, and can't even remember seeing it!!

We felt we got the best out of both worlds with this holiday, and we also had a great time in Orlando. We hired a villa privately, no need to take the accommodation through United Vacations. I think they even give you a free hire car, which is genuinely free!! Most unusual!!

my friends have just booked a family holiday to vegas they are all adults except their youngest grandaughter who is 11, they are staying in the circus circus ( i've stayed there myself so know it's good for kids), what is there for her to do at night, can she go into bars, casinos etc or will she be limited to what she can do and where she can go

Unfortunately you have to be 21 or over to be in any bar or casino in Vegas. She would only be allowed to walk through them without stopping to get to a restaurant or show.

They could take her to see a show. They could also visit the lions at MGM, tiget and dolphin habitat at Mirage or the shark reef at Mandalay Bay. Off strip, the Orlean hotel has a bowling alley and cinema. They can also visit the Adventuredome at Circus Circus.

luci

Hi can anyone help me, myself and my family have booked a trip of a life time to Vegas in August this year we are taking our 17 year old son with us I have done alot of researching and sooo excited, theres only one thing that I am wondering does anyone know if there are any family bars to go into we are not planning to take our son in them every night as we have a lot planned shows etc but we were wondering if there is any that we can take him just incase we fancy a night away from the shows. Also we are staying at the MGM Grand any veiws on this hotel!?
Thanks Mands and family.

P.S I know there will be people who think that Vegas is not for children but I have done alot of research and I know that there is alot to keep him ocupied.

Hi,

Can anyone answer me a question please?

Want to book holiday to Florida end of May 2007. Am not a good flyer, especially in the dark. Just wondered if anyone can tell me how much of the return flight is actually in the dark at that time of year. The sunrise in London is approx. 4.30am, so if plane departs Orlando at either 6pm or 8.10pm in the evening how does this actually work? Please help as I am finding it hard to get answers!!! Sue.

Mands,

I believe that a lot of the bars that also serve food allow people under 21 in.

Can't give any specific examples, but I'm sure it will be fine. Howard and hilda took their young son I believe. I hope they see this and respond, because they have some really good information.

The main bugbear for Vegas regulars seems to be the really young children that are almost abandoned by their gambling parents, or are being pushed aroud after midnight.