Question of the Day - 05 August 2013

Having a car is a must for your purposes, so we're glad you're renting one, and sorry this response is coming a little late (we'll send it to you personally, in case you're not online while you're here).

While it's a much-repeated cliche that Las Vegas long-ago abandoned its ill-conceived idea to become some kind of Disneyworld, the city is now home to a growing population of child-bearing residents and still wants to accommodate those visitors who bring little ones, even though we recognize that this is not Sin City's raison d'être. So, here are some suggestions of things that might be fun for your whole family to do, with a mini-review of the Discovery Children's Museum, since an LVA staffer just took her 6-year-old daughter there and had a blast:

• Discovery Children's Museum - discoverykidslv.org and, for kids aged under five, check out discoverykidslv.org/ongoing-exhibits/toddler-town/

  Review: Recently, I took my daughter to the Discovery Museum for her sixth birthday, and I have to say that it was probably the best $24 ($12 for each of us) I ever spent. There were so many things for kids to do, from hands-on projects, to imaginary play, to arts and crafts. This place has something for all ages and although we didn't go into Toddler Town, which is what you would most be interested in, we did visit every other section of this four-story museum.

  "Besides the giant play structure that runs through the middle of the building, my daughter's favorite space was the 'Working Area.' They have a pretend grocery store with isles of food, a deli station, a meat station, and cash register, etc., a veterinary hospital where the children can pretend to X-ray animals, take temperatures, give medicine, etc., a bank, an oil shop, a restaurant, and a construction zone -- complete with hard hats and bright vests for the kids to wear. It's really imaginative and interactive and fun!

  "We spent about three hours here and we could stayed all day, if we didn't have other things to do. I highly recommend.

  "Just a few extra useful parental pointers: When I went outside for a break, there were lots of people coming and going; you know it's a good place when all the kids that were leaving were crying because they didn't want to leave! Note that there is no food or drinks allowed, however, so make sure you eat before you go. They have an area at the entrance where you can buy drinks from a vending machine but that's it."

• Bonnie Springs Ranch and Petting Zoo: Open from 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. in the summer months and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in the winter. Admission: Mon & Tues, Adults and Children: $7; Wed-Sun, Adults: $10, Children: $7. bonniesprings.com.

• Las Vegas Springs Preserve - springspreserve.org Mon-Sun, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Adult $18.95, Ages 5-17 $10.95 (under 5 is free). This eco-friendly living exhibit features botanical gardens and lots of informational and interactive installations, plus they regularly have all kinds of family- and kid-friendly events, so check out the calendar on their website.

• Wet 'n' Wild - The much-missed former water park is back, albeit with new owners at a new location on the west side of town. We haven't yet checked it out, but sounds like it's even bigger and badder than before, for the daredevils among you, but it caters to all ages (check out the Kiddie Cove). General Admission is $39.99; Junior Admission is $29.99 (42 inches and under); Senior admission is $29.99 (ages 65 and up); and Twilight Admission is $24.99 (after 5 p.m. on Fri & Sat). Children 2 and under are also free. Hours vary by time of year and day. Current hours are Sun-Thurs, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri & Sat, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. wetnwildvegas.com

• M & M's World: A tribute to the popular chocolate, with lots of novelties to see and custom candy to purchase, located in the Showcase Mall by MGM Grand. Mon-Sun, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

• Children's Park at Town Square: The south-Strip retail destination includes a kid's park, with hands-on activities and occasional special events, open Mon-Thurs, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Fri & Sat, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sun, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

• Run Plus Fun is a giant indoor playground with a $9-per-child drop-in fee, for up to two hours, if you need a supervised break. Open Gym Times are: Mon-Thurs, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat & Sun, 9 a.m.-11:45 a.m.

• Pump It Up is an indoor inflatable playground for kids, open Mon-Fri, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; $7 for 3 hours. Visit the website for more details.

• For another option for parents just wanting a break or to catch up with home/business without the little ones getting bored, Kinderland is a cafe that features an indoor play area for infants and children up to 6 years old, with a parent-friendly cafe that features gourmet coffee, snacks, and even free high speed Internet. Mon-Sat, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., $12 per visit. Parents can visit while enjoying gourmet coffee, free WiFi, and a comfortable cafe.

• "For kids don't forget the Kids Quest operations available at some casinos. The one in Sunset station is my granddaughter's absolutely-favorite thing about LV, and that's saying something, since her old favorite was the carnival at Circus Circus (which you also oddly didn't mention in your answer)." [Ed: Put the latter down to a personal clown-aversion LOL, and the former to the fact that we were looking for new stuff, where possible, and kinda take Kids Quest for granted, but you're right to point it out. You can find details of all casino-childcare services in our Visitor Guide section.]