Question of the Day - 09 April 2012

Let's be honest: Las Vegas isn't exactly kid-friendly, especially since it stopped the whole charade of hoping/pretending that it was. But that's not to say there's nothing for kids to do, it just takes some thinking and planning, and on taking into account what the interests of this particular 11-year-old girl may be, since we'd hate to pigeonhole her. It also depends on what the adults in the party are into, of course, since we assume you're not just here to entertain your friends' kid...

If she's into animals and nature, you've got everything from Shark Reef (Mandalay Bay) to Springs Preserve (off the I-15) to Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat (Mirage) to the great -- free -- aquarium at Silverton, with its regular feeding times, to name just a few options that should all deliver an hour-or-two's diversion and a memorable experience.

Does shopping make her tick? You can lose hours in the Fashion Show Mall, or Miracle Mile Shops, or the designer outlets downtown and out at Primm, not to mention some fun local boutiques, like Patty's Closet (several locations). There's a nail salon in every strip mall, practically, so you could treat her to a "grown-up" Vegas experience and get her a sparkly "showgirl" manicure.

At that age, pretty much all of the city's thrill rides should be open to try (some have height restrictions), so take your pick from an array of roller coasters, zip lines, go-karts, flight simulators, and more -- you'll find details of all in our Rides & Activities section.

For something more sedate, how about a gondola ride at Venetian, or some miniature golf, which might be fun for the grown-ups, too? (This is Vegas, so we have Egyptian-themed glow-in-the-dark putting, or KISS-themed rock 'n roll putting, among the options to choose from.)

There are some child-friendly shows worth checking out, like Mac King's afternoon comedy magic at Harrah's, or the Gregory Popovich Comedy Pet Theater in the Miracle Mile, which are fun for adults, too. It's your call on whether Cirque might be her cup of tea, but if so, we'd particularly recommend KA at MGM Grand, which has cross-generational appeal.

Depending on your budget, a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that an 11-year-old could appreciate, or you could opt for some more economical indoor skydiving. We've also go paintball, Laser Quest, and indoor rock-climbing centers, which can be fun for everyone.

Pool season is underway and several of the city's family-friendly facilities, including The Beach at Mandalay Bay, admit non-guests for a daily fee. Check out our Cool Pool listings for details on which are open to the public and how much they charge.

So, although we're all still impatiently awaiting the debut of our new water park (now postponed until 2013), not to mention the new observation wheel(s) in the works, you shouldn't have any problem keeping the junior member of your party amused. Be sure to check our Events listings, plus Today's News, for information about specific one-off events or seasonal attractions in the run up to your trip.

You'll find details of all the above suggestions, plus many more ideas, in our Visitor Guide, where you'll also find details about childcare options, should you have need of them. Wishing you all a fun visit!

We didn't attempt to be comprehensive in this answer, rather directing the questioner to recommended sources for additional ideas, but we're grateful to those readers who wrote in to elaborate on some of the other suggestions with which we concur (and some of which might not even have occurred to us, jaded locals that we are):

• "In reference to your question about what to do with an 11-year-old in Vegas, another good option (worked w/ my 14-year-old niece) is the Blue Diamond loop-Red Rock Canyon, Spring Mtn Ranch SP, and Bonnie Springs Ranch. For the more adventurous, a day-trip to Valley of Fire SP, or Zion or Death Valley NPs, is also usually a winner. A (free) tour of Ethel M's chocolate factory/cactus garden is a good choice, too."
• "When my daughter was younger, she participated in annual gymnastics meets in Las Vegas. It took some planning, but we made these Vegas trips something she would look forward to each year. Your QOD answer today listed many great activities; below are some additional opions that a pre-teen might enjoy. -- Driving up and down Las Vegas Boulevard, with separate trips during the day and after sunset. The lights are spectacular: Get her an inexpensive digital camera and let her take some photos. -- Walking through the public areas of themed casinos, such as the Luxor, New York-New York, Paris, and others. -- The view from the top of the casinos is awesome, especially after sunset. Stratosphere, Rio, and Paris make these views available to the public (for a fee). [Ed: Look for discounts in the 2012 Member Rewards Book, and on other attractions like the New York-New York roller coaster, and Madame Tussauds.] -- Casino buffets are entertainment for many kids. --For $12.95 kids (accompanied by an adult if under 16) can ride on the Show in the Sky floats that circle above the casino floor at the Rio. -- Fremont Street Experience, with entertaining buskers, lights, and music -- Tournament of Kings show at Excalibur. -- World of Coca Cola Museum and M&Ms World, next door to MGM Grand."
• "For the 11-year-old: Don't forget the Pinball Hall of Fame on Tropicana - affordable, fun, and hands-on."