Family Friendly Shows in Las Vegas
Are you making plans for a family getaway but aren’t sure where to go? Well, don’t rule out Las Vegas. Though nicknamed Sin City for good reason, there are plenty of other excellent reasons to enjoy a family vacation in Las Vegas.
One of the most popular activities in Las Vegas is enjoying one of the many shows on the Strip. Though many of the comedians aren’t appropriate for the younger ears, and everything related to burlesque, showgirls or stripteases is definitely off limits, there are still several show options that are both kid friendly and parent approved. Here’s what’s playing:
Blue Man Group
Sure, you can catch this show in any number of cities around the world, but if you’re looking for quirky and fun entertainment that both adults and kids will enjoy, then this might be the show for you. Blue Man Group follows the antics of three people covered in blue greasy paint who never speak but instead just entertain via multi-sensory components such as bizarre percussion instruments, unusual electric gadgets, light and sound.
There is no set story, just one strange act after the next. Some people find the concept of the show to be boring and uninteresting, but most people just go with the weirdness and love the energy that pulses throughout the show. Though young children may not enjoy the show, those in middle school or older are more likely to.
Location: The Venetian
Show times: 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. nightly
Ticket prices: Starting at $64.90
Age restrictions: Should be five years of age or older
>>Read a review of Blue Man Group.
>>Buy tickets for Blue Man Group.
Disney’s The Lion King
Adapted from the popular animated Disney film, Disney’s The Lion King is a stunning parade of music, costumes, make-up and characters that keeps audiences of all ages riveted from the first moments to the final curtain. The story follows a lion cub named Simba, who is tricked into believing that he’s killed his father. Though technically Simba should be the new king, he runs away from home, meets new friends and must find the courage to return and face his evil uncle.
More than 40 actors and 200 puppets make an appearance in The Lion King, all outfitted in oversized, colorful costumes and make-up. Highlights include several giraffe and a 13-foot long elephant. Many of the actors and puppets walk down the aisles of the theater so people can enjoy close-up views of the costumes. Though the show has been adapted for the stage, many of the qualities that appealed to audiences when the film came out—the music, the happy ending, the characters—still exist.
Location: Mandalay Bay
Show times: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday
Ticket prices: Starting at $64.00
Age restrictions: Recommended for those 6 years of age or older. Younger children permitted, though parental discretion is advised.
>>Buy tickets for Disney’s The Lion King.
Gregory Popovich’s Comedy Pet Theater
Combining the comedy and juggling talents of Gregory Popovich and the entertaining antics of his talented pets, Gregory Popovich’s Comedy Pet Theater is a show that both kids and adults enjoy. In addition to Gregory, the cast consists of 15 cats and 10 dogs, all of which were rescued from animal shelters. Now they live a comfortable and entertaining life as part of this eclectic show.
Gregory Popovich’s Comedy Pet Theater is a popular crowd favorite that also includes performances by his daughter, Anastasie (who twirls a baton, hula hoops, dances and juggles) as well as a few other performers who share the stage.
Location: Miracle Mile Shops, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
Show times: Friday through Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.
Ticket prices: Starting at $34.49
Age restrictions: None
Matsuri
What do you get when you combine acrobatics with high-energy dance and circus-style acts? Why, Matsuri, of course. This Japanese-inspired show has a large cast of performers, many of whom often take to the stage together to entertain in tandem, which is impressively hard to do considering how high they jump, how complex their moves are and how much energy they must exert to keep the performance at its highest peak.
This variety show is more than just any one kind of routine, which is what makes it so interesting. Among the many acts are baton twirling, hula hooping, trampolining and step dancing. It’s one of those shows where you can just sit back and enjoy what’s going on onstage as the action catapults from one act to the other. Audience members young and old will enjoy the entertainment.
Location: Imperial Palace
Show times: Wednesday through Monday at 4:00 p.m. except for on Friday when the show is at 8:00 p.m.
Ticket prices: Starting at $54.95
Age restrictions: Must be three years of age or older.
Mystere
A fun combination of acrobatics and circus humor, Cirque du Soleil’s Mystere has been entertaining crowds since 1993, and it continues to pack in people who want only to be whisked away to a world where anything is possible. As is the case with most of Cirque du Soleil’s shows, the rainbow-colored costumes are spectacular and the music is both entrancing and unforgettable.
As people enter the theater, a clown is already hard at work at entertaining with humorous antics that involve switching the seats of those in the audience as well as making sure popcorn is everywhere but in its container. From there, the show fluidly moves from act to act. These include a aerial ballet, strong men, troupe acrobatics, jugglers and the trapeze. Interspersed between these acts, the clown reappears on the stage to provide comic relief. There is no coherent plot line to the show; it simply exists for entertainment’s sake.
Location: Treasure Island Hotel & Casino
Show times: 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday through Wednesday
Ticket prices: Starting at $69.00 for adults and $34.50 for children under 12 years old
Age restrictions: None
>>Read a review of Mystere.
>>Buy tickets for Mystere.
Tournament of Kings
If there’s one show in Las Vegas that feels like it was created for kids, that show would be Tournament of Kings, an interactive dinner show with a medieval theme. The show takes place in stadium-style seating around an arena, so there’s no bad seat in the house. Everybody is assigned to a certain knight to cheer for, and from the very start of the show, audience members are taught how to raise their glasses and give a hearty “hahza!” to show their approval for what’s going on in the arena.
The show is action packed with singing, dancing, jousting, sword fighting and jesting. Fireballs and live horses both make an appearance, keeping audience members on the edge of their seats. To make the experience more authentic, everyone is served a three course meal of soup, meat and vegetables, and dessert … all of which must be eaten without silverware. If that’s not kid friendly, what is?
Location: Excalibur Hotel and Casino
Show times: Wednesday through Monday at 6:00 p.m. with additional shows Thursday through Sunday at 8:30 p.m.
Ticket prices: $56.95
Age restrictions: None
>>Read a review of Tournament of Kings.
>>Buy tickets for Tournament of Kings.
V – The Ultimate Variety Show
The beauty of a variety show is that there really is something in it that everyone will enjoy. From gymnastics to comedy, V- The Ultimate Variety Show hops from act to act with high energy and highly talented performers. Jugglers, rhythmic gymnasts, aerialists, comedians, impersonators, dancers and musicians all have their place in the show.
Throughout the routines, audience members are encouraged to clap and laugh along, and volunteers are frequently pulled up on stage to take part in the act. V – The Ultimate Variety Show is user friendly for all audience members and has been considered one of the best all-inclusive acts in Las Vegas.
Location: Miracle Mile Shops, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
Show times: Nightly at 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Ticket prices: Starting at $59.99
Age restrictions: None
>>Buy tickets for V – The Ultimate Variety Show.
>>Looking for somewhere to stay while you are in town? Here are our picks for the best family-friendly hotels in Las Vegas.
Photo credit: Roger Smith (Blue Man Group), MGM (Lion King, Mystere, Tournament of Kings)