Many people associate Las Vegas with casinos, parties, and a thriving nightlife. The city is a tourist hotspot and if you know where to look, wonderful attractions and fun are awaiting your family here. As someone who has taken their kids to Vegas several times to visit family, I can tell you first hand Vegas is a great spot to take kids. In this article, we have explored some of the best attractions in Las Vegas that are kid-friendly. Here are 7 must-see attractions in Las Vegas with kids!
7 must-see Attractions in Las Vegas with Kids
1. DISCOVERY Children’s Museum
Just north of the Las Vegas Strip, you will find this museum that promises delightful indulgences to your kids and delivers exactly that. There are a lot of activities your kids can engage in here, including amazing art and craft projects, climbing structures, the DISCOVERY lab, and water sports. Most of the fun activities here are educational as well.
2. Watch the Blue Man Group show
The blue man group show is perhaps the most talented in the world. They have been hosting shows in Las Vegas for a long time and each time they come up with unique ideas that leave their audience in awe. Their acts include color, light, and sound using a variety of musical instruments such as drums, trombones, and others. The 3 man group is world-renowned for their bizarre but brilliant acts.
3. Visit Marvel’s Avenger STATION
Your kids will enjoy watching full-sized creations of their favorite superheroes. There are interactive exhibits on display and a lot of memorabilia on these superheroes. They get to learn the behind-the-scenes of what it takes to create an Avengers movie. They are
also allowed to touch, photograph, or even wear some of these costumes they have seen in these movies.
4. Go Skydiving indoors
The thought of skydiving from a plane scares most people. However, if you still want to experience the thrill in a controlled and safe environment, you can head to the Las Vegas strip at the Vegas Indoor Skydiving location. A 1,000 horsepower motor will keep you floating in the air and free-falling at speeds up to 120 miles per hour. There are safety nets and protective clothing to keep you safe throughout the whole session. You can book tickets online for this experience.
5. Visit the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay
This is probably the world’s largest exhibition of marine life. There are over 2,000 different marine animals on display here. The name comes from the large collection of over 14 species of sharks and other sea predators. You get to walk through a tunnel and experience this spectator in every angle possible. Your kids are allowed to touch different types of marine life (crabs, stingrays among others) at a different section of the bay.
6. Visit the Ethel Chocolate factory
Kids love chocolate and a trip to this factory will be a fulfilling one. This factory is located about 20 minutes from the Las Vegas strip. Your kids will get a chance to learn how chocolate is made. And take guided tours around while enjoying free samples.
7. The Adventuredome at Circus Circus
This is an amusement park that is the dream of every kid. They get the chance to take rides, go rock climbing indoors, bungee jumping, roller skating, arcade gaming, bowling, and many other activities. Most of these games are located indoors meaning that your kids get the chance to enjoy themselves with little regard to the weather or season.
Before moving to Arizona, I never considered visiting Las Vegas even though I have family there. Now that we live here, it’s a super easy and quick trip up north, which we try to take at least once a year. If you are struggling with what to do with your kids and how to travel with them, check out my post on that here. If you are thinking of taking a roadtrip to get to Las Vegas, I have a post on how to keep the kiddos entertained while traveling. You can find that post here.
When traveling, you can’t take your house with you, so how do you deal with children’s games? How do you keep your kids from asking “Are we there yet?” a thousand times or needing to stop for a break every 5 minutes? How do you keep them entertained in a world where internet connection rules? The times we are living in has more and more people thinking of taking longer trips, not a quick one that entertains them for longer. As a result of this new normal, we are getting new requests for travel games to keep kids busy on long train or car or plane trips. I searched and searched to pick some of the best games available. This is a quick summary for all ages and some games are easier to handle when things do not move too much or on a small tablet.
This superior quality chess set offers you smooth hand-feel while frivolous. Smooth processing for each chess piece to lower the noise while traveling. Offers silent environment for your analytical thinking.The pieces are stress-free to differentiate. The Chess set has an attractive wrapping with rules of the chess game available inside the box. Every distinct piece of the chessboard has a magnetic pull to the playing field of the 64-square chessboard, and light magnetic attraction would create it steady to play while not solid to transfer the pieces at the time of playing in stormy weather, out-of-doors or traveling. Small enough for travel in a backpack or bag, but large enough surface area for easy play.
Appreciate the typical game of bingo, animal style, anywhere you go. Easy to play with simple to follow the rules. No requirement for decks of cards only utilizes the magnetic pieces and a built-in magnetic spinner. This game is recommended for ages 3 and above. This game is played between two or more players. It is an excellent hands-on game for children to stay busy for long hours without utilizing technology or their phones. A classic game that everyone is sure to know and want to play instead of driving or being left out for long!
In this board game for kids, it’s a contest to acquire all of the animals on Noah’s boat beforehand the
excessive flood. Collect every animal together to conquest. Appropriate for two to four players, and
appropriate for kids age 4 and up. The box comprises one game panel, five animal tokens, thirty-six
terrain cards, one rain token, and thirteen rain cards. This makes a great gift for Christmas or other holidays including a birthday present.
This forty piece game set consists of thirty-two magnetic tiles and eight style mags. The original
technology creates Stile Mags, simple accumulation of magnetic buildings as well as mosaics. Talk about a game that is friendly for all ages and imaginations! This one is sure to keep them (and maybe you) busy for hours on end creating magnetic magic!
Appreciate the all-time typical game of Backgammon anywhere you go. No requirement for decks of
cards, sports, or additional action games. This game has you enclosed with long hours of
entertainment. This game is played between two players. It comes with all that you require to get on
the go, such as magnetic pieces, two dice, and the game board published ingeniously within the box.
Appreciate the typical game of Words anywhere you go—no requirement for technology, phones, or
applications. Pick your head to come up with a word prepared from letters on your board. This game
can be played between 4 players.
Board games and the like are at an all time high, especially those that are friendly on the go. Families are spending more time together and games that can be easily taken on a ride and don’t get upset when moving will continue to be at the forefront of shopping purchases this year and next. What is your favorite game to take with you which is missing from the list?
I know that when we are ready to travel outside our comfort zone again, I want to go somewhere affordable, but not break the bank getting there. Our girls are getting older and about the age where we can take them on longer trips they will remember. I want them to be able to explore like I wasn’t able to at their age. I long to give them culture and experiences at a younger age so they don’t go travel crazy like me when they are older. We are impatiently awaiting these rankings of the cheap, most trendy destinations or, conversely, the less known.
Here are the top 10 affordable places perfect for big adventures and visit in 2020.
10 Affordable Places to Visit in 2020
1) Ecuador
If South America is in your sights, you should consider Ecuador. A country of contrasts with its legendary volcanoes, its colorful colonial towns, and its seaside life punctuated by the Pacific Ocean, there is plenty to have fun! Very small between Peru and Colombia, Ecuador can be explored easily, quickly, and inexpensively. According to Lonely Planet, almost everything is within half a day of transportation. As much as Ecuador is a cheap destination, so are its famous Galapagos Islands.
2) Slovenia
The ultimate base camp for lovers of the outdoors, Slovenia, has carved out a place of choice in this list. Affordable, the “green heart of Europe”; reveals itself in several facets: a seaside town with Venetian beauties, Alpine passes in the sky, a forest of stalagmites, castles like fairy tales.
3) Argentina
Historically, Argentina is recognized as an economic destination. And she does not skimp on efforts to remain so! For example, foreign visitors who pay for their accommodation by international bank card are entitled to a refund of taxes or, even certain nationalities benefit from visas at reduced prices, underlines Lonely Planet. Hikers will find their challenge at the Perito Moreno Glacier and certainly at Aconcagua, while Buenos Aires is a real eye-catcher for art and culture lovers.
4) Southern Nile Valley, Egypt
When we talk about the south of the Nile Valley, we discuss the region between Aswan and Luxor. An essential stopover during a trip to Egypt, Luxor, is often the starting point for a cruise on the Nile, which is, according to Lonely Planet, an excellent way to travel economically. Often, food and other transportation are included, and the entrance fee to larger monuments is not very expensive. The longest river in the world is yours, desert adventures, temples, and ancient treasures.
5) The Maldives
Hard to believe, but the Maldives is becoming more and more affordable. Independent tourists are increasing, and that at the same time, a network of cheap accommodation is developing.
This is a BIG goal on my travel list because the beautiful pictures and stories I’ve heard of these islands. It’s quite a long airplane ride, but I believe Steve and I will visit here soon.
6) Albania
Albania is a very cheap destination that lurks right in front of our eyes! Even today, few tourists visit the last frontier of Europe. Bordered to the north by Montenegro and to the south by Greece, Albania offers hikes in glorious landscapes, tasty gastronomy, small historic villages, and unique archaeological sites.
7) Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States
With more than 10 million visitors annually, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, straddling Tennessee and North Carolina, is far from a well-kept secret. Quite the opposite, it is the most visited national park in the United States. Entrance to the park is free, so it is an excellent option for an economical road trip or hiking trip. Especially since the Great Smoky Mountains are crossed by one of the longest and most famous North American trails: the Appalachian Trail.
8) Łódź, Poland
Łódź, Poland’s third-largest city, is a must-see destination. This former industrial city, once in decline, has transformed in recent years to unveil innovative architectural projects, street arts, and districts entirely dedicated to culture and entertainment.
9) Houston, United States
Houston offers one of the best value for money in Texas. Among other things, the Houston Museum District’s urban escapades allow you to visit the metropolis on foot through 19 museums, ten of which are free, and the EaDo district presents us with an outdoor street art gallery to visit in self-guided mode.
10) Naxos in Greece
An island known by the Greeks takes a scooter tour to enjoy the landscape and have a good time. It is one of the most beautiful of the Greek Islands and a short ferry ride away from the super famous Paros and Mykonos Islands, but stays under the radar for popularity. If you visit here, chances are you will get all the beautiful views you long for when on a Greek vacation.
Teaching kids mindfulness can be a very important skill they carry throughout their lives. While it’s important, not everyone realizes exactly how much of an impact it can make.
If you’re reading this, I’m guessing that you’re interested in implementing this in your home.
But where do you even start? It can be overwhelming to even imagine starting.
In this post, I’ll be going over what it is, the benefits, and how to get started. My hope is that you have some good tools under your belt upon reading.
Let’s get to it now, shall we?
How to Teach Kids Mindfulness
What is Mindfulness?
Before we can dive into it, I find it very important to understand what mindfulness even is. It’s a word that gets thrown around quite a bit, but not everyone understands it.
In short, it’s a mental state in which you are not only aware of yourself and surroundings, but you are not influenced by them.
More specifically, it means:
Being fully present in the current moment
Being fully aware of your thoughts, feelings, and actions
Being in complete control of how you think, act, and feel
There is a lot more to it than this, but it gives you an idea. It also includes being in a non-judgemental state to create a sense of calm.
Mindfulness Benefits for Kids
Now that you know what it is, why does it matter for kids? Isn’t this something that more adults utilize? While yes, that is true… teaching children this skill will serve as a huge asset throughout their lives.
You will see a huge difference in them not only as children, but as they grown into functioning adults in the coming years too.
Emotion Regulation
The first major benefit to mindfulness is that it will teach them to regulate their emotions. They will be able to pinpoint what emotion they’re feeling, how it manifests in their body, and how to find their center to control it.
This happens by:
Practicing breathing techniques to calm them
Gaining self-awareness to pinpoint what’s happening
There is much more to this but it can help with regulating anxiety, stress, and give them the ability to focus on what’s in front of them. (Which is why you might see this popping up in school a lot lately!)
Decision Making
Part of mindfulness is the ability to focus on yourself and limit influence from your environment. While this is something that is learned over time, kids can certainly learn to trust themselves to make a choice.
It is important to note that this is more of a long-term skill that is built, much like a muscle.
Positive Mindset
With enough practice, kids will train the way their brains work. They’ll see the world in a different light and gain a more positive outlook. They will have more patience with peers, gain self confidence within themselves, and honestly become a lot happier.
This happens by:
Reciting affirmations to build confidence
Practicing gratitude to gain a grateful outlook
Breathing techniques to help gain patience for siblings
Establishing a Mindful Routine
Once you understand mindfulness and the benefits, you can start establishing a routine! Having a routine is KEY if you want to make this a long-term practice.
Start with yourself, first
You absolutely need to start with yourself to set the example. You wouldn’t teach your child a new language without first knowing it yourself and it applies here too.
That said – you absolutely can learn it alongside your child to make it a family affair.
The main thing here is that you don’t want to implement it on your child without doing it yourself. You won’t be as infested in it as you won’t truly understand every aspect of it if you don’t experience it yourself.
Plus – helping yourself become more mindful is a gift too!
Let go of any expectations
After listing out the benefits, it’s easy to have an expectation of what will happen. The best thing you can do is let go of those. Do not see this as making life easier with any particular result.
Instead, approach it as a long term game that helps them in their day to day life.
Part of mindfulness is letting go of any and all expectations to cultivate a state of peace. You’ll find yourself stressed out if you try to uphold expectations.
Take it slow
Don’t try to do everything at once – it will only stress everyone out. Instead, choose 1 habit to focus on at a time and once that’s mastered, move onto the next one.
Also pay attention to your child and adjust as needed. If they truly hate a certain aspect, stop doing it. If they’re struggling, step in to help. Tweak it as needed.
Mindfulness Habits to Implement
Once you have a routine figured out, it’s time to choose what you’re going to implement first! There are a number of skills that will benefit your child, but here’s a few to get started.
Meditation
Meditation will help your child not only calm their emotions, but gain a large sense of self-discipline. This is best started as young as possible to avoid resistance as it is hard to do when you’re not used to it!
Have your child close their eyes, and take deep breaths. Once they’ve got that down, have them practice visualization as they meditate.
Some visualization ideas include:
Picturing your thoughts leaving through the top of your head
Imagining a ray of white light passing through your body that “spits out” rays of love to the world around you
Picturing a bright green handle that gets brighter as you take deep breaths
For younger children, consider coming up with more creative ways to help them enjoy the experience. You can also look up guided meditations for children – there are lots of great ones out there! The insight app is a great one for kids to listen to.
Gratitude
Another practice to start is gratitude. Take a few minutes everyday to express what you’re grateful for. You can start with simple phrases such as, “I’m grateful for my sister.”
As they get this down, have them get more descriptive. What specifically happened today that made you feel grateful? What did you appreciate about that moment?
This practice helps kids learn to appreciate the world around them much more. It’s hard to be miserable when you see the world through the eyes of appreciation.
Self-Awareness
Becoming self-aware is much like a muscle – it has to be built over time and at first, you’ll have no idea how to work it.
Start helping your child notice how they feel throughout the day. You can try saying things such as, “I can see you’re really angry right now, how does that feel in your body?” Encourage them to identify not only the emotion, but how their body feels too.
Over time, they will be able to identify this on their own.
Affirmations
Affirmations are AWESOME – they help kids get really confident. It’s a great morning routine idea, too. Make it a family habit to recite affirmation together.
Tip: Brainstorm a list of 3-5 different ones to focus on for 30 days, then start a new set. This helps your brain really solidify what you’re telling it.
You can start with these types of affirmations:
I am smart
I am strong
I am capable
I am loved
I am enough
I am learning
Feel free to tweak them as needed to make them more suitable for your child.
Final Thoughts
Mindfulness is such an important skill to teach kids, no matter what age they are. Mindfulness helps you to become fully aware of yourself and also your environment without being heavily influenced by it.
This skill helps kids to regulate emotions, make better decisions, cultivate a positive mindset, limit stress and anxiety, and so much more.
When you get started, take it slow and make sure you’re doing it too in order to set the example! Let go of any expectations and just go with the flow and experience it.
Start by building the habits of meditation, gratitude, affirmations, and gaining self-awareness. There are lots of habits you can implement, but these are a great start.
Do you teach your kids mindfulness? Tell us about it in the comments!
As a millennial who grew up super poor, the fall of 2008 and into 2009 was something I don’t really remember. I was still a poor college kid, trying to figure things out. I don’t remember the crash for different reasons.
For me, 2008 was the year that my dad burn 11% of his body with me finding him and helping put out the fire in January. At the end of June, my first nephew and the one who still influences my parenting, drown in a swimming pool. My dad was still recovering from his burns and his 48 day hospital stay. I barely went back to work as a server.
I don’t really remember the restaurant industry slowing down either. I’m sure it did, but my mind was so hectic and crazy that it was the last thing I could think about. I sort of remember when the market started to recover a few years ago, and now know for sure the last 2 years it for sure was good.
2020 Economy
So now, with the whole virus thing and places being closed and people potentially losing their jobs, I will remember this. Not only as a business owner, but as a Wife, Mom, newly homeschooling teacher, and consumer. Mostly, I will remember the fear and uncertainty everyone is having over the whole situation.
On one hand, I’ve got my husband who’s a business owner and employer who’s nervous about having a business to return to once this is over but also knowing that money needs to be made to continue operating and keeping people employed but on the other the health and safety is such a concern.
Another hand is my business is based on helping people and sharing products, experiences, and opportunities for people to also enjoy in their own lives. One of those businesses includes a few AirBnB properties that have basically become their own ghost towns due to the reduction in travel.
As a Mom with younger children who don’t quite understand the whole situation of what’s going on and then adding in homeschooling unexpectedly, I can only imagine what parents were saying in 2008 when life went hectic. It’s clear to me where our priorities have been the last few years as parents when the girls ask why we can’t go to Target or to get another new toy.
Lastly, as a consumer, I want to shop because that’s how I handle stress.
I also like to support small businesses, and empathize with those businesses who literally don’t know if their doors will be open tomorrow. I realize not everyone is like this, and I feel like now is when the pyramid schemes and sleazy sales tactics come out that just feel icky to me. I’ve been holding back on sharing with my audience things I’ve purchased and continue to purchase because I know if I have those feelings, I know others are thinking and feeling the same thing.
It’s super clear the sleaziness is coming out more and more each time I check my inbox when I find these random emails from people whom I’ve not interacted with in YEARS trying to sell me stuff.
Immediate unsubscribe.
So yes, I’m a bit scared and confused as this is similar to 2008 but also different because we have a huge pandemic throwing a wrench into the workforce and economy. I hope for everyone on this planet that it ends soon, but also realistically know that’s probably not going to happen. Going forward, I will continue to consume and shop and live life as best as I can as normally as we can to help leave a positive experience for our girls during this time. We will modify and not go out to dinner as much or purchase things mindlessly or take things for granted. We will clear and keep the clutter clear because spending time in social distancing will help with ensuring once this is over, we will enjoy staying at home versus not.
I hope this is helpful for other millennials in a similar situation and those who may be reading this that have little to no idea what I’m talking about. Just know, everything comes in cycles and this too shall pass.
And someday, we will look back on this and hopefully learn from the things we went through during these times. I have for sure left things behind that no longer serve me, and learned a WHOLE LOT about myself, my girls, my husband. We’ve made deeper relationships, and connected on different levels than when we were rushing around all the time. Hopefully you have done some deep diving and learned some things about yourself and not just focused on the negative.
As always, I’m here if you need to chat, or a shoulder to lean on. Send me a DM on Instagram.
traveling. Offers silent environment for your analytical thinking.The pieces are stress-free to differentiate. The Chess set has an attractive wrapping with rules of the chess game available inside the box. Every distinct piece of the chessboard has a magnetic pull to the playing field of the 64-square chessboard, and light magnetic attraction would create it steady to play while not solid to transfer the pieces at the time of playing in stormy weather, out-of-doors or traveling. Small enough for travel in a backpack or bag, but large enough surface area for easy play.
technology, phones, or
Recent Comments