6 Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Vegas During the National Finals Rodeo

December 18, 2025Marcella GruchalakMarcella Gruchalak#nfrexperience, #TRAVEL, Horsing Around the WorldComments Off

When you think Vegas, you may not think family friendly, but there is plenty to do with kids if you plan on making the trek during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Every December, Las Vegas becomes rodeo central as the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) lights up the city with 10 nights of thrilling competition, family fun, cowboy culture, and a festive holiday atmosphere. The NFR is a chance to enjoy one of the most exciting sporting events in the world and mix it with memorable kid-friendly experiences across Vegas. Let’s saddle up and explore the best ways to enjoy Vegas during NFR with kids in tow.

Photo courtesy of Marcella Gruchalak

1. Get Seats to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
Of course, the centerpiece of your Vegas trip during NFR is getting seats to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Held at the Thomas & Mack Center each night, the Wrangler NFR gathers the top 15 professional rodeo athletes in the events of bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, and barrel racing.

There’s nothing like seeing the Wrangler NFR live. Watching powerful bulls buck off riders, hearing the crowd roar, and seeing athletes and their horses perform at the highest level is different from anything you’ll catch on TV. The sights, sounds, and energy of the arena are about being there in the moment: kids will feel the tension of the timer ticking down, the thunder of hooves, and the roar of the crowd when a cowboy sticks a big ride or barrels around the cloverleaf. It’s sport, drama, and athleticism and witnessing it live can inspire kids in a way that highlights not just the competition but the dedication behind these athletes.

Photo by Kamille Huff

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

2. Go Shopping at Cowboy Christmas, Stetson’s Country Christmas, and South Point

Cowboy Christmas
Cowboy Christmas is the official gift show of the Wrangler NFR and a Vegas tradition since 1986. It’s held at the Las Vegas Convention Center and features 500,000+ square feet of vendors selling everything from custom jewelry and western wear to boots, spurs, handmade crafts, and ranch decor. It’s free to attend and runs through the dates of the NFR.

Families love Cowboy Christmas because it’s interactive. There’s live music, ranch-themed stages, tasty food vendors, a rodeo saloon area, and daily autograph sessions with rodeo stars. Kids can meet their heroes and get autographs from NFR athletes while browsing cool western gear. There’s even youth rodeo action tied to the YETI Junior NFR happening with Cowboy Christmas, the perfect combo of shopping and rodeo.

Photo by Kamille Huff

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

Stetson’s Country Christmas
Another great shopping stop is Stetson Country Christmas at the Rio Las Vegas. It also runs during the same days as the Wrangler NFR. It’s a Western lifestyle showcase with exhibitors offering Western apparel, handcrafted jewelry, boots, accessories, and holiday gifts. It’s a little smaller than Cowboy Christmas but still packed with charm. There are live music performances, opportunities to try on classic cowboy gear, and plenty of festive shopping for gifts and keepsakes.

South Point

Around town, you’ll also find western markets and pop-up gift events tied to Wrangler NFR at places like South Point and the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center. South Point is perfect to grab souvenirs or enjoy the cowboy atmosphere without dedicating half a day to big trade shows. Here you get a little shopping and there’s arenas where you can watch roping and horse sales.

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

3. Catch the Jr. NFR
While the NFR shows the pros, the YETI Junior National Finals Rodeo (Junior NFR) is just as inspiring, especially for kids. Held at the Cowboy Christmas venue in a dedicated tent, junior competitors (19 and under) showcase events like bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, pole bending, and more. There are 700+ youth contestants, giving aspiring young cowboys and cowgirls something to cheer for. Watching kids their own age compete passionately and with pride can be incredibly motivating for the kids in your group. It’s a reminder that rodeo isn’t just entertainment, it’s a lifestyle that teaches discipline, respect, and love.

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

4. Go Horseback Riding
For a break from the hustle of shopping and rodeo arenas, head out of the Strip for a real Western adventure on horseback. One highly recommended choice is Wild West Horseback Adventures, particularly their morning ride with breakfast. Our experience was unforgettable: we rode through scenic desert terrain, enjoyed a homemade breakfast, sat around a campfire, did a little roping and interacted with other animals. The guide was fun and informative, helping kids feel confident on their horses, and we even spotted a HUGE coyote along the trail! Horseback riding gives kids a chance to connect with animals and experience quiet moments in nature. It’s a perfect counterpoint to Vegas’ bright lights and big crowds.

Photo by Gecko

Photo by Kamille Huff

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

5. Explore Las Vegas

Las Vegas has more to offer than dazzling casinos. Even with kids, there are peaceful, beautiful, and free attractions that make a great complement to rodeo week.

Photo by Kamille Huff

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is a free and enchanting stop right on the Strip. Throughout the holidays, the conservatory blossoms into festive seasonal displays with flowers, trees, whimsical decorations, and holiday themes that kids love to explore. It’s a visual treat, and a great photo spot for the family.

While at the Bellagio, don’t miss the Fountains of Bellagio, a free musical water show choreographed to music and lights right out front of the resort. It’s one of Vegas’ most iconic free attractions and great for kids of all ages.

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
Just a short walk from the Linq and Flamingo hotel, the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat is another free family stop, a lush garden with ponds, fish, turtles, and of course, real live flamingos. Kids enjoy spotting the birds and walking through a quieter, nature-filled space amid the Strip’s buzz.

Right next door you’ll find fun shops (like candy stores!) that kids always want to check out, perfect for a quick treat after your nature stroll.

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

6. Medieval Fun at Tournament of Kings
Looking for a night that includes food, horses, and interactive fun? Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur Hotel is one of the most beloved family-friendly dinner shows in Vegas.

At Tournament of Kings, kids cheer for their knight as real horses gallop and knights joust in a medieval arena, all while enjoying a hearty meal served in classic medieval style. There’s dramatic swordplay, lively music, cheering, and a sense of participation as the audience gets behind their knight. It’s the perfect blend of dinner, interactive performance, and kid-approved energy that feels like a show and dinner rolled into one. You can make this stop an all evening affair as right outside the performance arena is a huge arcade for kids.

Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

Las Vegas during the Wrangler NFR is bigger than a rodeo. From pro athletes and junior competitors, to western trade shows and horseback rides, to free botanical gardens and wildlife habitats, there’s something to delight kids and adults alike. Mix the rodeo thrills with nature, culture, dinner shows, and cowboy shopping, and you’ll create a family trip that’s festive, unforgettable, and full of fun.