Question about Las Vegas...

[meloneyb21]

Is there anything for a young child to do? A 2/3 year old? The way I look at Vegas, I just see that there's tons of gambling and other things of an adult nature not fit for anyone under 18 at the least. We really wanna go, but we're unsure if we should just go it alone or attempt a family thing....LOL...We both don't have that many (if any) reliable family members to watch our child for more than a day or two. Everybody is always so busy with their own thing....and the people that ARE available, we don't really trust. We like going places as a family...we like to find any way to spend time together....The obvious choice is WDW, but we don't want to be limited to that.....

Anyway, the question of course, is if there is anything in Vegas that a toddler would enjoy.....

TIA

 

[supercarrie]

I can think of a lot of things that kids ages 6 or up would enjoy...but don't know about 2/3 year olds? Off the top of my head, Circus Circus has lots of circus acts, kids video games, and an indoor amusement park. Excalibur has a Medieval Times type dinner show, virtual reality games, etc. There is also M&M World (toddler may enjoy that) and the Ethel M Chocolate Factory. Lots of hotels have animal exhibits (Mirage - dolphins and white tigers, MGM Grand - lions.) Many hotels have fabulous pools as well. I grew up in So CA and started going at about 5, but didn't start staying anywhere but Circus Circus/MGM Grand.

Here are some tips for Vegas and kids, including a section on bringing a 1 year old, which may be of use:
http://www.vegas.com/traveltips/guide/familyvacation.html

 

[Bearvet]

It will be interesting to see the responses to your question. We spent a short amount of time there a few years ago - our boys were 8, 10 and 14 at the time. They enjoyed all of the glitz and glamour but it was extremely uncomfortable for us as parents with all of the porno pictures littering the sidewalks. There were a few things for our kids to enjoy, but I can't picture much for a young child. We had looked forward to the pirate show at Treasure Island, only to find out it had just been changed to a more "adult" show.

My opinion - no, focus on a vacation for your child and you as a family. Kids grow up so quickly and before you know it, you'll have plenty of free time to do adult things. While WDW is a great family trip, a beach vacation is wonderful too. Give a toddler some beach toys and sand and they're in heaven! Maybe try one of the family-oriented all-inclusive resorts - you have time as a family and there are programs for the kids so the adults can have time together. Explore the incredible National Parks, or choose a city and focus on things that appeal to children (children's museum, zoo, theater, etc). Save Las Vegas for another time and enjoy your family.

BTW, I didn't care for Vegas personally, but would like to go back without kids to give it another try. Gambling is not for me.....

 

[supercarrie]

It will be interesting to see the responses to your question. We spent a short amount of time there a few years ago - our boys were 8, 10 and 14 at the time. They enjoyed all of the glitz and glamour but it was extremely uncomfortable for us as parents with all of the porno pictures littering the sidewalks.

One thing I forgot to mention, is that we always drove from hotel to hotel, straight from valet to valet, so I was almost completely sheltered from the pictures, etc. There are driving billboards that show girls in bikini type outfits as well, but when I was that young, can't rememeber noticing.

I also don't think Vegas is the ideal place for someone that young, but if you want to try and can't leave her with anyone- there would be things to enjoy.

 

[hydster]

We absolutely LOVE Vegas and go a lot but honestly I don't think there is a whole lot for a child your child's age to do. I don't know how many days you are thinking of going but the things that come to the top of my head that your child "Might" enjoy are

Bellagio Fountains *free*
M&M World *free*
Volcano at Mirage*free*
The animated show at Caesars *could be potentially scary* and the Aquarium*free*
The circus act at Circus Circus *free*
The lions at MGM*free*
The shark reef at Mandalay Bay *charge*
Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at Mirage *charge*
White Tiger Habitat at Mirage *free*
Wildlife Habitat at Flamingo *free*

If you go during the early summer like June most of the hotels have really great pools with lazy rivers or something like that.

I wouldn't take your child there in the heat of the summer however. It gets hot and it's too easy for an adult to dehydrate.

If it were me I would not take my child to Vegas that young. Our kids have gone but only on the way to and from Disneyland when we drove and they are 13, 12 and 7 and they said they wouldn't want to stay very long.

HTH
Heidi

 

[Nicolepa]

We have not been to Vegas since our oldest was born. My husband goes every year for a confrence in January and I used to join him. A couple of years ago a coworker of his went and took their kid 2 y/o. The mom and kid ended up going home early they were having such a horrible time.

 

[meloneyb21]

Thanks for your opinions. I'm just trying to come up with vacation ideas.....LOL, I don't think Vegas is a good choice after all...LOL

 

[mom*to*2*princesses]

We have a 3 y.o. and a 6 y.o. and I would NEVER take them to Las Vegas. We *love* LV, but we love it because it's a great adult escape. I'm rather obsessive about keeping my kids away from smoke too, and it just about kills me to see kids being carted around in the haze that surrounds that place (although I think they might've just passed some sort of ban?). Anyway, JMHO, but we'd never take our kids. Good luck finding something that will work for you!