by Cynthia Wall

Created on: December 11, 2008   Last Updated: October 19, 2010

Back in the 50's when I was a kid; our family would make the annual summer trip from L.A. to visit the grandparents in Nebraska. With canvas water bags strapped to the car, we'd leave at 5 a.m. and tackle the Mojave. We'd reach Las Vegas about 11 (hopefully without having "boiled over"). After lunch at the Sands, my brother and I (in 110 heat) would press our faces to a window to watch our parents play nickel slot machines for 30 minutes. This was their annual treat and our annual experiment with heat exhaustion that was about the only entertainment for kids then.

When our own children came along, we would occasionally go to Las Vegas and enjoy the swimming pool and give them a handful of quarters to spend in the arcade. They thought it was pretty hot stuff and in the evenings, my husband and I would take turns staying with them in the room or pool while one of us threw away a few dollars on the slots.

Children going to Vegas today would scoff at our primitive entertainments. From the moment of arrival, the City of Lights beckons to all fun seekers and that definitely includes the younger set. The first decision is to pick a hotel with a great pool. Top choices are places like the MGM with a series of pools and a rafting river or the Mandalay Bay with a wave pool (just don't let them peek at the nudie beach). Chances are your action hunters will want more than aquatic thrills. The roller coaster at New York, New York is worth a few screams. The rides up to the top of the Eiffel Tower and the Stratosphere are fun. Watching the knights joust at the Excalibur in the Tournament of Kings is worthy plus eating a royal meal messy enough to destroy your clothing is memorable.

If it's games they're after, then head for Circus Circus where they can win prizes in the arcade and watch circus acts at the same time. New York New York has virtual games in its arcade, and you can even go bowling at Rio's Lucky Strike Lanes. But perhaps it's a game they'd like to see instead of games. Head to the MGM and watch the lions play with toys in Lion Habitat. The interesting naturalist lecture encourages respect and conservation of these magnificent creatures. The Rain Forest Caf right around the corner in the MGM has a 10,000 gallon aquarium plus you may hear thunder and lightning while you dine. At the Secret Garden at the Mirage, you'll see beautiful lions, tigers, and leopards, and the Mirage's Dolphin Habitat draws visitors from all over the world. The Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay

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