Las Vegas family vacations have something for everyone, even the kids.

Q: Where can I safely drop off my young children in Vegas while I gamble away their college fund?

A: Hey, we would never recommend dropping off kids anywhere or gambling away their college fund, especially when there are a number of attractions for the whole family in Vegas, including GameWorks and Circus Circus' Adventuredome. Kids can kill a lot of hours at these places (and considering the prices of some new games, they might kill their own college fund). If you do want to gamble, though, there are a handful of hotels that offer child-care facilities on property.

Q: My sister and husband are coming to Vegas with their 1-year-old. Will we be allowed in the casinos? Where can I take them? We want to show them at least one casino, but we have baby considerations, such as feeding, napping, strollers, etc. What can you recommend?

A: They'll be allowed to bring the baby into the casino if they're just passing through (to get to a restaurant, shopping, etc.) But babies and blackjack don't mix, so don't plan to sit down with a toddler at the tables. Also, the Bellagio does not allow children inside unless they're registered hotel guests, attending a show or dining with the family at one of the restaurants. Take it from us, the best places to take a baby would be shopping or to the many attractions Vegas offers. Try the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay (kids under 4 are free), the Forum Shops at Caesars or gardens at the Flamingo with live Chilean flamingos, Mandarin ducks and koi. Youngsters will definitely get a kick out of the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage and the MGM Lion Habitat.

Q: We are coming to Vegas with our 8- and 12-year-olds. What is there to do for kids this age that will still be fun for us?

A: Vegas may be Sin City, but there are still plenty of things that the whole family can enjoy: magician Lance Burton at the Monte Carlo, "Tournament of Kings" dinner theater at the Excalibur, the World's Largest Permanent Circus at Circus Circus, buffets, hiking at Red Rock Canyon and the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. Animal lovers of all ages will surely enjoy "Gregory Popovich's Comedy Pet Theater."  If you want to get some shopping done, Caesars offers something for the whole family. Stop and shop at the Forum Shops where the kids can enjoy the Fall of Atlantis and Festival Fountain shows and aquarium. Want to sneak some education in with some fun? Then take them to see Bodies...the Exhibition, where your kids can check out all sorts of real-life bones and organs. To show your kids -- as well as remind yourself -- how fun science can be, visit the interactive Lied Discovery Children's Museum. Make sure to also stop by and check out the Springs Preserve. For the adventurous preteens, they can experience the adrenaline rush with indoor cart racing at Pole Position Raceway.  As long as they meet the height requirement, they're good to go.

Q: What is the best hotel to stay in with our kids?

A: Location rules in this category. Check out New York-New York for its roller coaster, Mandalay Bay ( Shark Reef ) and finally Circus Circus, which has the most kid-centric activities per square foot.

Q: What is the best free stuff to do with our kids in Vegas?

A: There are so many free attractions in Vegas, it's hard to know where to begin. First, you have the sheer wonder of just wandering around the Strip. There also are the gardens at the Flamingo, the Fountains at Bellagio and the high-flying Circus acts at Circus Circus. You also won't want to miss M&M's World at the Showcase Mall, Mount Charleston,MGM Grand Lion Habitat, and the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage. There is also a fun children's park at Town Square.  After you're done shopping, the kids can run off all their energy here. For more, check our free attractions page. That ought to keep you busy.

Q: We want a fun place to take the kids to eat. Any suggestions?

A: Vegas boasts a lot of dining alternatives that are great for the kids. The themed Rainforest Cafe lets you dine among a 10,000-gallon saltwater aquarium and animatronic animals, and movie memorabilia is on display at Planet Hollywood. Chow down on some burgers while enjoying a fun, island theme atmosphere at the Cheeseburger at the Oasis inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. Elephant Bar at The District is also a great place to take the kids. The safari theme and diversified menu makes it fun for everyone. If your kid is a picky eater, you can't go wrong with a buffet. You might want to call ahead to find out children's prices and special offers.

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