You know, it used to be that whatever salacious thing happened here in Las Vegas, the whole group agreed: It stayed here. And if you are looking for a wild Vegas weekend with friends, we’ve got recommendations for you. Or...if you’re looking for an artsy, off-the-beaten-path Vegas experience, we’ve got you covered on that end, too.

But, if you’ve suddenly found yourself trading in your “Vegas, Baby” chant for a packed car of wet wipes, fully charged iPads and a Disney Spotify playlist already downloaded...this one’s for you!

The below recommendations have been family-tested and kid-approved!

*Disclaimer: Every child is different (and also kids are wild), so Meow Wolf is not responsible for any tantrums that may come as a result of our recommendations. Thank you for understanding.

You Have No Idea What’s In-Store for You!

One of our most frequently asked questions is, “Is Omega Mart okay for kids?”, and the answer is YES! Our experiences are for everyone, but sometimes it’s the kids who end up enjoying them most, and understandably so! At 55,000 square feet, Omega Mart is an extra large playground with plenty of crawl space and new things to see around every corner. And, for once, they don’t have to keep their hands to themselves (as if they even could)!

As a heads-up, while they’re not intended to be frightening, some children might find parts of our experiences dark, scary or overwhelming. To help, Omega Mart offers sensory bags that are free to check out and use while you experience the exhibition. They’re great for adults and children alike who may find the experience to be a sensory overload!

When you enter Omega Mart, you’ll be handed an OMEGA ACCESS card, and while your kids may or may not be interested in all the content you can unlock using your card, it gives them something to hold and allows them to tap around on screens that they tend to find pretty darn cool.

Also, you’ll find strange and colorful products that your kids can pick up all over the store. They can grab a bag of chips and realize it’s actually a pillow. If they’re old enough, they might even enjoy the playful descriptions on every product. Are you holding peanut butter, or is that actually our famous Peanut Goo? And of course, don’t forget to grab that iconic freezer photo.

Your kids will leave very satisfied after enjoying an Orange Dream (OJ + Vanilla + Coco Dream Whip + Ginger Ale) from Omega Mart’s hidden Datamosh Bar.

Local’s Note: Omega Mart doesn’t allow strollers or large bags/backpacks, so if you can, try to bring a baby sling and pack just the essentials in a purse or small bag. If necessary, you can also check a bag for $5.

For more answers to your most pressing Omega Mart questions, check out the 5 things you must know before you arrive!

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Catch a Game!

Okay, so initially we in Vegas were a bit hesitant about the whole “sports” thing, but that was before our beloved Golden Knights came along. Now...we’re definitely a sports town.

Don’t @ us.

If you’re bringing a few tiny humans that love to watch a live game, the Las Vegas Ballpark is a perfect start to your fun-filled vacation. Watching our minor league baseball team, the Las Vegas Aviators, is major fun for the whole family, and tickets start as low as $18.

With between-inning games for kids, wandering mascots and the best hat nachos we’ve ever had, we can guarantee this won’t be just a cheap thrill. Select nights even include a fireworks show that’s worth staying for all 9 (nine, right?!) innings!

Local's note: The Las Vegas ballpark actually has a pool, but that’s for private rentals only and usually sells out a season in advance, so we recommend shielding their eyes as you walk by it! We learned that one the hard way.

Fun in the Sun!

It used to be that if you wanted to be near the water, it’d have to be Cali. Now, depending on where you’re staying, your hotel may already come with a resort-style pool. If not, or if you’re just looking to switch it up, Vegas has not one, but two water parks! Wet N Wild and Cowabunga Bay provide a combined 21 slides/pools that will keep the tiny humans cool and smiling non-stop!

A local note: these two parks are on opposite sides of town, so you probably won’t want to do both. They are about equidistant from The Strip, but if you’re staying in an AirBNB, choose the park closest to you. You can’t go wrong either way!

A Walk on the Wild Side

Regardless of how you’ve spent your day, you’ve definitely worked up an appetite for dinner! The challenge now becomes deciding where to take the kids for a nice sit-down meal. Back in the day, you would’ve opted for experiential dining like Hell’s Kitchen, or a lavish night out at Lavo, but these days you need something that has a reasonable kids menu and something to keep the littles occupied while you wait for the food to come.

With those two requirements in mind, we give you...Rainforest Cafe!

Now, we admit that it is a chain, so depending on where you’re from, it may not be an undiscovered gem to your family. However, The Strip views certainly give it a certain Vegas flair that is missing elsewhere.

First, you’ll be greeted by Nile the crocodile and Julius Squeezer, a boa constrictor who hangs from the treetops as you enter. Kids can enjoy the sights and sounds of the rainforest, complete with talking, animatronic animals and periodic “thunderstorms” while they wait for their food to arrive. The best part is that the American fare served up fresh is both delicious and noncontroversial, which is a tough combination to find for kids anywhere!

Local’s Note: The portion sizes for the kids’ meals are actually pretty big, so if you’ve got more than one kiddo, feel free to have them share! Unless, of course, they’re at the age where sharing is a no-no word.

The best part is that once you’re done with dinner, there’s still plenty of time to take in a show! Take a step outside, and just a short walk away are the Bellagio Fountains. Performing daily (until midnight) the kids will be amazed at the water works show, and you’ll be amazed at how fun free can be!

That Vegas Magic

If it’s in the budget, we’ll always suggest a Vegas show, but how do you decide what will hold your kids’ attention for more than 15 minutes?

Well, we’ve gone ahead and done the hard work for you. We’ve taken the liberty of checking out quite a few shows that claim to be great for families (all off the clock, of course 😏), and the vote was unanimous. The clear winner was Mat Franco: Magic Reinvented Nightly. It’s a full 90-minute show, and we’ll admit to being skeptical, but it was immediately obvious how Mat won the ninth season of America’s Got Talent. That man sure can do the magic!

With mind-blowing tricks that engage the audience (at one point, we were all on our hands and knees collecting ☝️ those cards ☝️), and even some pyrotechnics that are sure to wake up the non-believer in the back, Mat puts on a show that your children will happily sit through without complaint. The only tears will be when they inevitably have to leave.

Local’s Note: It’s a pretty small theater and Mat does quite a bit of walking around, so there’s really no awful seat in the house. But, if you’ve got littles that may find it hard to see, we suggest Preferred or Booth seating.

A Sugar Rush

The biggest misconception about Vegas is that if it’s for adults, it’s for adults and adults only. In reality, there are dozens of places on The Strip that are equally enjoyable for the entire family, and our final stop is one of them.

The Sugar Factory initially comes off as your typical “look but don’t touch” Vegas restaurant, but that’s all a part of the experience. The space is luxurious and the desserts are decadent, but you’re free to have a good time. This is one of our favorite family spots because there's nothing but good vibes here. They crank up the music for a few minutes when someone is celebrating a birthday so the kids can get up and dance, and that’s good because they’re about to get a sugar rush.

Will they finish the whole Cookie Monster shake in one sitting? Hopefully not! But the looks on their faces when it arrives will be worth it. The milkshakes are absolutely over the top, and that’s part of the fun! But don’t worry, adults are allowed to have fun here, too! The adult beverages are just as jaw-dropping, and they’re also *full chef’s kiss*.

Local’s Note: Because this is the only Sugar Factory in Vegas, a weekend celebrity sighting is not uncommon! Britney Spears? JoJo Siwa? Who knows who’ll stop in, so keep your eyes open!

This list really could go on forever, and there are so many great places here that deserve honorable mentions, but the kids are screaming for second breakfast (LOVE that wfh life). If you’ve got questions, or if you’re looking for more specific recommendations, come find us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!