What are some good activities for a pre teen in Las Vegas?

Staying home,Disney World,Universal Studios,6 Flags,Busch Gardens
those are for pre-teens.
Las Vegas is for grown-ups
and sometimes grown-ups who drag their poor kids along.

Wet n Wild water park in Vegas was rated #2 in the U.S. by the travel channel.
Other posts here can give you a ton of information about what there is to do w/kids while in Vegas. Well worth reading.

Check the CircusCircus Hotel.

we plan on taking our kids (10&13) to see Mystere. There are also some other shows the kids may enjoy, O & Blue Man Group. We will also check out various 'lobby' or other free hotel attractions.

for more info check www.vegas.com/attractions/.

Why don't you take your kids to a strip show, show them how to blow their hard earned money in the casinos and then for fun take them to a chicken ranch and let them have at a prostitute. While your at it, make sure they disturb the ADULTS who are there without kids...

Here we go again, selfish baby booming parents dragging their brats to sin city. Can't we have anything left for the adults?? No, families had to roll into town with their broods of unruly squealers and ruin the last mecca for grown-ups!

I beg ya, shell out money for a babysitter, besides, what kind of example are you setting? Vegas is a church for worshipping the almighty dollar. Let your kids play at Disney before you try and turn them into jaded little imitations of you!

I am very confused. I know several people who have spent a few days in LV with their kids (not babies or toddlers, but pre-teen and teen). Neither the kids, nor their parents, gambled, drank, used prostitutes or went to strip shows. They did go to O, Mystere and other FAMILY friendly shows as well as hung out at the hotel pool. As far as exposure to these 'vices', much of these things can be found in just about all cities throughout the US. That doesn't mean we expose our kids to it. I am taking my kids to LV for a few days and will continue on a trip through Arizona. We have no plans on taking our kids (or ourselves) to casinos, adult shows, high-end restaurants, protitutes or adult-only type hotels. I have never been to Vegas, but have been told that there are many family-friendly and appropriate things to do that will not corrupt the moral fiber of children or disturb childless adults.

How would you child-hating people know that it is such a bad place for kids? Have you been there to blow away your hard earned cash, see strip shows and spend time with hookers? If you haven't, then you don't know what you're talking about. If you have, then I think you're the one with the problem.

I am a childless adult who travels to Las Vegas but I have to agree with aMOM form the previous post. It's none of anyone's business if parents take their kids to Las Vegas. I don't think four or five days in Las Vegas is going to wreak havoc with the moral development of our youth. Further, I have never found kids in Vegas intusive - they are not even permitted to loiter in the casino.

"leaveyour" hit it right on. Babyboomer alert: PLEASE BRING DO NOT BRING YOUR KIDS (Crispin, Courtney, Chandler) TO VEGAS!

Hey, "aMom", can't we have one place where there isn't some annoying parent trying to squeeze their triple-seated stroller through the restaurant? Or a toddler crying during Mystere? Or the embarassing 'public discipline' that a parent performs while trying to relax by the pool?"

Take em to SoCal, Orlando, etc. and keep the kids outta Vegas.

Hey 'is', did you read my post, i said NOT infants and toddlers but pre-teens and teens. My 13 yr old has been sitting (quietly) through broadway shows since she was 5 and can behave probably better than some adults at a public pool.

Thanks to 'childless' for your support.

I agree with aMOM 100%! She is not talking babies and toddlers for crying out loud!

Answer to is - no you can't.

Hey aMom - the question for you is: Did you read my post? Don't see why this:

* the embarassing 'public discipline' that a parent performs while trying to relax by the pool?

...doesn't apply to teens. You big ol hasty NYC attitude-filled Chanel cap wearin beldam.

Sure, take your pre-teens to Vegas. Just don't be surprised when you see your pure-as-the-driven-snow daughter exposing her ta-tas on the next "Girls Go Wild Las Vegas" videotape commercial while you shove kettle corn in your mouth at 2am wishing you'd made some different choices in your pathetic life.

My husband and I took our young teen daughters to LV for two nights, during a two week vacation from LA to LV to Grand Canyon to Colorado. We just HAD to see this city. We mapped out a route where you could visit 8 hotels in a row, starting with Mandalay Bay (where we stayed) without going on the public streets (using walkways, trams, etc). That took us the whole day - they rode the rollercoasters, played the arcade games, ate in the food courts, shopped. Once when we loitered in a food court, about 15 feet from a craps table, the dealer stopped, stared, and nodded at us until we moved on. Also, when we were in our car early evening just driving around, some creep made disgusting tongue gestures at my daughter in the backseat (who didn't tell me right away). A couple minutes later we stopped at a convenience store. The girls decided to wait outside the store and watch the skyline. You guessed it: the creep cut across two turning lanes to follow us, and our kids came running up to us inside the store. There was the guy looking through the window, it was creepy. He was very bold. When my husband went outside the guy was gone. Could this have happened anywhere? Yes of course. But if i had it to do over, I would skip LV with my kids. Couldn't take my eyes off them, couldn't gamble one quarter, refused to leave them alone in a hotel room. Better to go to the Hoover Dam and maybe Lake Powell.

A 13 year old sitting quietly at Broadway Shows since they were 5??? What did you do DRUG your kid or what?? I do not know of any kids that sit that long or that quietly. You must either be in a state of denial as to your kid's behavior or so boozed or doped up yourself you can't see past your snooty nose!!!

Vegas is not the place for kids. Take your kid to Disney, the beach or anywhere else. Leave Vegas for adults.

Parent,

My kids would sit still at Broadway show at age 5, depending on the show. I'm not "not noticing" thier behavior. They will sit still for anything that they find interesting, including musicals, movies, etc.

Sitting still in church, on the other hand, was very difficult for them.

Our kids loved Red Rock Canyon. We spent one whole day there- hiking around. Bring lots of water and sandwiches for a picnic. We saw wild burros twice and beautiful sights. Being from the East coast - the hills and mountains and deserts were awe-inspiring. There were lots of families there. We also went to Hoover Dam....it was incredible. On the way to the dam we pulled over and went hiking on some public land. As far as sights to see in Vegas- we did all the freebies- the Treaure Island boat show, the Rio sky parade, the downtown overhead show at Freemont Street (our favorite- don't miss it). Where we stayed (at the Flamingo) was also a great garden area with penguins and flamingos. We didn't have any trouble with creeps, but we were in bed by 10pm each night so maybe they aren't out much until later. Have fun!