Free Things to Do in Las Vegas with Kids This Summer

If you have ever Googled “free things to do in Las Vegas with kids” and ended up with a list full of casinos and nightclubs, I feel you. Las Vegas is not exactly known for being budget friendly, especially in the summer when you are just trying to keep the kids entertained without spending a fortune. But I promise you, there is actually a lot to do here for free and some of it is genuinely amazing.

I am breaking this down into on the Strip and off the Strip because depending on where you are staying or where you live, your options are going to look a little different.

On the Strip

1. Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
This one always surprises people. Right in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip, tucked behind the Flamingo Hotel, there is a free wildlife habitat where you can see actual flamingos, pelicans, turtles, and koi fish. It is open every day and it is completely free. My kids love it every single time and honestly so do I. It is such a random and wonderful thing to stumble upon in the middle of Vegas.

2. Bellagio Fountains
If you have never seen the Bellagio fountains with kids, put it on your list immediately. They go off every 30 minutes in the afternoon and every 15 minutes in the evening, and they are completely free to watch from the sidewalk. Kids are mesmerized every single time. Bonus tip: go at night when they are lit up for an extra magical experience.

3. Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden
Yes, I also included this one in my indoor activities post and I am including it here too because it is that good and it is free. The Bellagio changes the entire conservatory display several times a year and the detail and creativity that goes into each one is honestly jaw dropping. It is air conditioned, it is beautiful, and it costs absolutely nothing to walk through. In the summer heat this one is a no brainer.

4. Fall of Atlantis Show at Caesars Palace
Inside the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace there is an animatronic show called the Fall of Atlantis that has been entertaining Las Vegas kids for decades. It runs every hour and it is completely free. The kids might think it is a little cheesy but they will also be completely glued to it. It is one of those only in Las Vegas moments that I think every family should experience at least once.

5. Circus Acts at Circus Circus
Circus Circus has been a Las Vegas staple forever and for good reason. They have free circus acts running throughout the day under the big top inside the casino. We are talking acrobats, jugglers, trapeze artists, and more. You just walk in and watch. It is loud and a little chaotic and the kids absolutely love it.

Off the Strip

6. Seven Magic Mountains
If you are willing to drive about 10 to 15 minutes south of the Strip, Seven Magic Mountains is one of the coolest free art installations I have ever seen. It is a collection of towering neon colored boulders stacked on top of each other in the middle of the desert and it is completely free to visit. It makes for incredible photos and the kids think it is the coolest thing. Just go early in the morning in the summer because there is zero shade and the desert heat is no joke.

7. Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden
This one is a hidden gem that a lot of Las Vegas locals still do not know about. Ethel M Chocolates has a beautiful botanical cactus garden right next to their factory that is free to walk through. There are over 300 species of cacti and desert plants and it is genuinely stunning. I have been going for years and I actually wrote about their holiday lights display back in 2018 which is magical if you ever want to go back during the holiday season. In the summer go in the morning before it gets too hot.

8. Las Vegas Library District
This is one that I feel like does not get talked about enough. The Las Vegas Library District has free events for kids running all summer long. We are talking story times, craft activities, STEM programs, reading challenges, and so much more. Every branch does their own programming so check the events calendar at events.thelibrarydistrict.org to see what is happening near you. This is my go to recommendation for keeping kids busy, learning, and out of the heat without spending a dime.

Splash Pads

Okay this section might be my favorite because when it is 110 degrees outside, splash pads are everything. Las Vegas actually has some really great ones and they are all free.

9. Centennial Hills Park Splash Pad
One of the most popular splash pads in the valley and for good reason. It is well maintained, has a nice playground nearby, and the kids can run through the water for as long as they want. Go early before it gets too crowded.

10. Trigono Hills Park
This one has a 4.8 star rating on Google and once you visit you will understand why. It has a great splash pad plus a really fun playground. It is a favorite among Las Vegas families and it shows.

11. Aliante Nature Discovery Park
This park is beautiful and the splash pad is just one part of it. There is also a lake, a playground, and walking paths. It feels like a little oasis in the middle of the suburbs and it is completely free.

12. Cougar Creek Park
A great neighborhood splash pad that is perfect for younger kids. It is not huge but it is well loved by the families in the area and a great option if you are in the southwest part of the valley.

13. Reunion Trails Park
Another fantastic splash pad option in Henderson. Clean, fun, and free. Bring snacks and sunscreen and plan to stay a while because the kids will not want to leave.

Almost Free and Worth Every Penny

14. Springs Preserve
I could not write this post without mentioning Springs Preserve even though it is not technically free. Here is why I am including it anyway. If you have a WIC, SNAP, or EBT card you can get in for just $3 per person for up to four people through the Museums for All program. If you are a Bank of America, Merrill, or Bank of America Private Bank cardholder you can get one free general admission ticket on the first full weekend of every month through their Museums on Us program. For everyone else Nevada residents pay $9.95 for adults and $4.95 for kids ages 3 to 17, and children 2 and under are always free. Springs Preserve is one of the most underrated family attractions in Las Vegas and these programs make it incredibly accessible. It is absolutely worth it.

Las Vegas summers are intense but they do not have to be expensive. Between the free Strip attractions, the splash pads, the library, and places like Springs Preserve that have programs to make it affordable, there is genuinely so much to do with your kids this summer without draining your wallet.

If you have a favorite free activity in Las Vegas that I missed, drop it in the comments! I would love to hear what your family loves to do.