best family friendly las Vegas shows
Vegas is known as the “Entertainment Capital of the World” for a reason! When the Flamingo Hotel opened in the 1940s, Bugsy Siegel brought in big-name performers to lure customers. This tradition continues with some of the biggest names in music, comedy, and entertainment bringing their shows to Vegas - and there are options for everyone in the family! Check out these fun family-friendly entertainment options on your next Vegas family vacation.
1. Cirque du Soleil
Price Range: $$$ | Website
Cirque du Soleil has been on the Vegas Strip since 1993. If you’re visiting the Strip, you must see one of these shows! There are five Cirque du Soleil shows on the Las Vegas Strip:
Mystère at Treasure Island - Ages 1+
KÀ at MGM Grand - Ages 3+
“O” at Bellagio - Ages 5+
Michael Jackson One at Mandalay Bay - Ages 5+
Mad Apple at NYNY - Ages 18+
Mystère is the longest-running Cirque du Soleil show on the Las Vegas Strip and the most family-friendly. Most shows will last about 90 minutes with no intermission break., and several of these shows offer matinee performances.
Everyone who attends the show requires a ticket, regardless of age. And keep in mind that many of the shows use special effects, including pyrotechnics, fog, smoke, and other props, which may bother small children or those with asthma.
Not sure which show is the best for your family? Gather everyone and watch clips online from each of the shows to see what interests everyone the most!
2. Battlebots Desctruct-a-thon
Price Range: $$ | Website
Based on the popular TV show BattleBots, this live-action robot-combat show is sure to impress everyone in the family. Watch popular bots HyperShock and Whiplash fight a slew of newer and upcoming robots to see who will reign supreme.
Bill Dwyer is an excellent host - he even hosted the original BattleBots television show on Comedy Central! This action-packed show lasts approximately 90 minutes, but if the Bots experience technical difficulties the show could go longer.
Kids of all ages are welcome to attend, and kids under 3 are free. Keep in mind that the show involves metal robots fighting and can get very loud so you may want to bring ear protection for younger children.
It’s worth the extra money to upgrade your ticket to include a backstage tour (this can be done the day of). On the tour, guests get photo ops with the bots and they also get to meet the builders.
3. The Sphere
Price Range: $$$ | Website
The Sphere is an immersive entertainment arena unlike anything you’ve ever seen before! It’s the world’s largest spherical building and is completely covered by LEDs on the exterior. The first thing to do is to simply experience the Sphere from the outside - you can see it nicely from the Sands Bridge between the Palazzo & Wynn Hotels.
The next option is to book a ticket. The Sphere shows a movie that was specially made for the screen. The movie experience includes two parts: the actual movie, plus the interactive Atrium Experience (which includes full size talking robots!)
The other option is to purchase a ticket for one of the musical groups that perform at the Sphere, but keep in mind that this does not include the Atrium Experience. Whichever option you choose, all guests require a ticket. Age recommendations vary by show, so be sure to check before you buy your tickets.
If you’re staying at a hotel near the Sphere, consider requesting a room with a view of the Sphere. It will mesmerize kids of all ages!
4. Potted Potter
This Potter parody is sure to be a hit with all the muggles in your family! This show condenses all seven books into one hilarious 70 minute show. This show was originally commissioned as a 5-minute street show for people to watch while standing in line for the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and has morphed into a full show experience!
Perfect for anyone aged 6 and up, you don’t have to be a Potter fan to enjoy the show, making it perfect for the whole family.
There are several kid-friendly experiences at the Horseshoe Las Vegas. After the show, consider going downstairs for some miniature golf, head to the game room, or check out the food court.
5. Blue Man Group
Price Range: $$$ | Website
Since 1987, the Blue Man Group has been entertaining fans around the world. Each show is a mix of music and performance art. The show has many unique features, like combining instruments in their popular “Drumbone” - part drum and part trombone. Another show highlight is the paint drum, where performers combine paint and drumming to create a total color explosion.
The show is recommended for children 3+ and runs approximately 100 minutes with no intermission. When you purchase your tickets, avoid the “poncho section” if you don’t want to get splattered with show materials like cereal, marshmallows, and bananas.
This show is quite loud so younger children are encouraged to wear ear protection. If you don’t have your own, you can borrow some from the Front of House staff.
6. Mac King Comedy Magic Show
Price Range: $$$ | Website
Mac King is considered the #1 comedian magician in the world. He even became part of a Guinness World Record Team as part of the “Most Magic Shows Playing at One Time in One City”.
Although most comedy shows in Las Vegas are NOT family-friendly, this one is! More than 2 million fans have enjoyed his one-man show (with a little help from a goldfish, a grizzly bear, and Colonel Sanders). He has been successfully doing comedy and magic for more than 20 years all over Las Vegas and is currently performing his show at the Excalibur Hotel.
The act combines comedy, close-up magic, and some amazing stunts. The show is restricted to guests aged 5+ and lasts approximately 70 minutes. This matinee show is family-friendly, but it’s not just for kids! Everyone in the family will find something to enjoy at this performance.
After the show, consider visiting the Fun Dungeon downstairs where you’ll find games and kid-friendly treats.
7. Jabbawockeez
Price Range: $$$ | Website
Established in 2003, Jabbawockeez is a hip-hop dance group. The group’s actually name comes from a poem by Lewis Carroll called Jabberwocky!
The group has appeared on several talent competition shows, including America’s Got Talent, and have won America’s Best Dance Crew. Known for its creative choreography, synchronization, and athleticism, they now perform at the MGM Grand.
The show doesn’t have any age restrictions, but tickets are required for all attendees 3 and up. The show lasts approximately an hour and 15 minutes with no intermission, so be sure to have everyone stop at the bathroom before you head to your seats.
Before the show, consider getting something to eat at the MGM Grand Food Court. Here you’ll find lots of kid-approved restaurants, including Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, Johnny Rockets, and The Original Chicken Tender.
Don’t wait for the curtain to fall on these seven awesome family entertainment options! With something on the list for everyone in the family, any one of these shows is sure to be the talk of your next Vegas family vacation.