Enjoy the excitement of Las Vegas on the Las Vegas Strip without busting your travel budget. As a local mom of four under the age of 10, I am often asked about exploring the Strip with my kids. We are down there quite a bit, too, and they ask to do the same stuff over and over again. Here is a list of free family friendly attractions in Las Vegas.

1. Blue Man Group Procession This energetic and intellectually stimulating show is right on the mark for family entertainment in Las Vegas. If you are undecided on whether or not to splurge for the tickets, take advantage of the Blue Man Group Procession that happens daily throughout the casino floor of the Monte Carlo. All ages welcome, and encouraged – and so is audience participation! The procession takes place at 6:15pm, except for when the show is dark.

2. City Center Fine Art Collection Art Tour Download the App (it’s free!) by the same name: City Center Fine Art Collection Art Tour, and begin a self-guided tour of the 20 different public art pieces throughout City Center and Aria Las Vegas. The tour will guide you through both indoor and outdoor areas, so don’t forget your sunglasses and hats. The app itself is remarkable in the sense that it gives detailed description of each work of art, materials used, the meaning behind it, and why it was selected for the City Center Fine Art Collection. The app will also locate the the pieces on a GPS map.Ride the Aria Express

3. Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden and Chihuly Fiori di Como No matter how many times you see it or the slight differences in display each quarter, it is hard to ignore the beauty of the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden. Did you know that between 10:30 – 11:30am daily inside the Conservatory, Mr. and Mrs. Green Thumb are available to provide tips and answer questions about gardening? In case you are like me, and were born without a green thumb, step over to the lobby where world reknown Italian artist, Dale Chihuly, created the magnificent Fiori di Como piece with over 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers.

4. Downtown Container Park The latest and greatest project occurring in Las Vegas is the revitalization of the Downtown area. And, the center of it all, Downtown Container Park. A public space created with the vision of community colliding and collaborating, the park is made up entirely of old shipping containers. Inside those containers is a unique business ran by locals. The center of the park contains the Tree House, a gigantic play space for kids of all ages. Slightly beyond that is the common grassy area where life-sized legos, building blocks and huge bouncy balls inspire creativity. Parents can lounge on the couches or bring a blanket and enjoy the sounds of local musicians who play daily on the main stage.

5. Take a Ride on the Aria Express For some reason, this is one of my children’s favorite things to do. Could be the neon lights, or the scenic views of City Center below. Either way, it keeps them occupied for about 15 minutes. Grab the tram at any stop inside the Monte Carlo, Bellagio or at City Center. It is also a great way to get around without having to fight the crowds on the ground.

6. Visit the World’s Largest Chocolate Fountain Located at the Bellagio between the tram stop and the Bellagio Conservatory is the French bakery, Jean-Philippe. In no way is that free, but it is free to window shop. The inside walls of the bakery are lined with impressively decorated cakes, many of recognizable character themes your kids will love to see. Look above the center work station to view the latest creation representing the season, all made of chocolate, and all made by hand. Over to the right is the World’s Largest Chocolate Fountain a la Willy Wonka, churning and mixing over 2100 lbs of milk, white and dark chocolate all day long.