Staying cool in Vegas can be difficult, as can finding activities to keep your kids occupied while doing so. You both want to get out of the house, but don’t want to sweat buckets or do something short-lived. Locals also might want to avoid the strip to stave off their exposure to tourist season.
We’ve gathered six interactive, non-boredom inducing, super fun places you can visit with kids, all while staying cool. Shockingly half of them do involve water, but not all require a bathing suit!
Want to stay cool without the hassle of digging out your bathing suit (or shopping for one …)? At SeaQuest Vegas, you can keep the heat at bay by just looking at water. Granted the water does contain some amazing animals, so that’s a bonus!
SeaQuest (not the defunct 90’s tv series), offers interactive exhibits that range from reefs to rainforests and invite guests to hand-feed animals, among other activities. Want to go snorkeling with sharks, feed a sloth, or walk through an aviary? Then this is where you want to be!
If that wasn’t enough, SeaQuest is also committed to community outreach, conservation of endangered species, and the rehabilitation of exotic animals.
We’ve sung the praises of our local parks before and no list of how to keep cool in the desert would be complete without another nod to the Clark County Pools.
In addition to the park pools and splash pads, there are also a good number of aquatic centers – ranging from year-round facilities to seasonal. The year-round facilities offer annual passes, swimming lessons for all ages, team activities, and water fitness classes – there’s something for every member of the family (minus those with four legs and paws).
But wait, there may actually be something for your pup as well! The Desert Breeze Aquatic Facility holds a Dog Daze of Summer event in September – including pool times depending on dog size and a contest!
In a similar fashion, but without the pet element, the Aquatic Springs Indoor Pool offers a periodic movie night.
Avengers Station (this one IS on the strip)
Let’s be honest, the strip is for tourists and generally a place that locals avoid. However, there are often intriguing events or exhibits that pull us back in – queue the Avengers Station attraction currently at Treasure Island.
The exhibit is interactive and great to keep children occupied on a blazing hot day (unless, of course, they don’t like the Avengers, which is fair enough). Participants are given a mission and look into the profiles of their favorite Avengers such as Captain America, Hulk, Thor, and Iron Man. There is also a number of costumes and props to explore.
Yes, we do have another water attraction on our list (hey, this IS the desert), but we promise it isn’t the same as the other two. First, there are no animals here, just children. Second, Cowabunga Bay is an outdoor facility, unlike the Aquatic Centers, which are indoor.
There are 16 different water-based attractions at Cowabunga Bay, including pools, cabanas, a kid’s cove, a lazy river, and of course, a wave pool. Pools are great, but perhaps you are looking for water slides? Never fear (or maybe fear the Zuma ZOOMa and its high-speed 360-degree loop), as there are 10 unique slides here, including one that you ride in the dark – aptly named Point Panic.
If you want to chill out without the kids, there are occasionally special events for the 21+ crowd.
Museum’s often get a bad rap, as quiet, stuffy, and a place you do not want to go with children. The Discovery Children’s Museum turns all that on its head and provides immersive and engaging exhibits that will keep your child occupied for hours!
While what’s on offer here changes on the regular (meaning it’s a place you can visit frequently, without boredom kicking in), there is a discovery lab, fantasy festival, art activities and an eco city (yes, a small eco-friendly city).
In addition to their exhibits, there is monthly and weekly programming, as well as daily events, such as Superhero Day in late July.
While Springs Preserve is mostly an outdoor adventure, there are indoor activities to partake in here as well – allowing you to plan a day both inside and out without visiting multiple locations.
The Preserve has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978 and the 180 acres commemorate Las Vegas’ dynamic history. Among the activities here are a botanical and butterfly garden, trails (complete with bike rentals), a museum, galleries, and a playground (with, you guessed it, a splash pad). They also offer pop-up demonstrations, as well as free online classes.
Anytime between “now” and “right now” is a good time to take action on shaping your best life, and that includes where you live. Let’s get the ball rolling on your next steps.
(702) 374-6807. Or drop me a line here.
