Moving to Las Vegas with Kids? Here's What You Need to Know

If you’re considering moving to Las Vegas with kids, there are plenty of questions that are likely plaguing your mind. Where are the best neighborhoods in Las Vegas? How safe is it? Are there things for kids to do in Vegas? What are the schools like?This blog post will be a good starting point for your research. We surveyed Las Vegas locals to gather tips on moving to Vegas with kids. We cover the following topics:

The best neighborhoods for families
Schools and childcare
Safety
Kid-friendly activities

Here are a few tips to help your family settle into a new neighborhood as well as some ideas to help your kids make new social connections.

Best Neighborhoods for Families in Las Vegas

Moving to Las Vegas with Kids - Summerlin Shops - Good Neighborhoods

In our survey, the locals’ overwhelming choices for the best neighborhoods for families were Green Valley and Summerlin. It is of no surprise as each of those master-planned communities incorporates public spaces along with community building activities to welcome new families and current residents alike.

Both Summerlin and Green Valley offer abundant entertainment and family activity options that are not directly related to the gaming industry. Youth Sports options are plentiful around the valley with youth hockey, soccer, and football attracting a large number of kids in the Summerlin area.

Learn more about these neighborhoods in our Las Vegas neighborhoods guide.

Schools

Nevada typically ranks near the bottom for education on a national scale with both U. S. News and World Report and Education Week. However, finding a good school for your children will depend upon the neighborhood that you choose.

It is a good idea to see what your options are as there are some gems even in what appears to be a dismal landscape. The Clark County School District has a zoning search feature on their website that will help you find the school in your desired neighborhood. You can then use the GreatSchools.org website to help narrow down your choices. You can also check for the district and school data from the Nevada Department of Education.

Here are the Top Five Schools According to Our Locals Survey

1. Bishop Gorman High School

The facilities at Bishop Gorman High School are the best in Las Vegas. While the school is ranked quite high in our survey, this Catholic Private school located in Summerlin comes with its share of detractors. Common complaints range from the school being too centered on its football and athletic programs to rampant illicit behavior due to the money available to the students. As with any private school, there is a bias against those that can afford to send their children to better schools, so those complaints must be looked at with objectivity.

2. Green Valley High School

The school community as a whole is why you would choose Green Valley High School. This area of Las Vegas has above average elementary and middle schools as well as a population that is somewhat more engaged in the academics of their children.

Green Valley is a public school and is often referred to as the best public high school in Las Vegas. That’s because of its high graduation rates and diverse student population. As with any school, the limitations of the programs stem from the feeder schools in the neighborhood.

3. Las Vegas Academy of the Arts

This public Magnet school ranks among the best in every category in the state of Nevada. For students interested in the arts, the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts the best option in Las Vegas. There is an application and a selection process to attend, so those students that are admitted are chosen from a select group. This process ensures that students are surrounded by like-minded individuals who are all working toward a common goal. This drives the performance of the school and its population.

4. Coronado High School

This is a large public school on the south side of the Las Vegas valley. The neighborhood is among the better neighborhoods in Las Vegas and the school enjoys a more affluent population. A significant number of Coronado High School students are on the college track with a large number attending UNLV. Some local complaints range from marginal accommodations for low performing students to administration not addressing bullying and potential gang activity. However, this school ranks highly among schools in Nevada per the U.S. News and World Report.

5. Advanced Technologies Academy (A-Tech)

This Public Magnet School focuses on STEM learning and design with a heavy emphasis on technology. A-Tech is ranked as the number one school in Nevada by U.S. News and has a national ranking of 287. The school is very diverse and has a competitive enrollment policy. Students who attend this school have chosen to adhere to more rigorous standards and are excelling in the subject areas of math and science. There are no athletic teams at this school.

A few more resources to help with your school choice:

Thinking about childcare as you plan your move?

Moving to a new city can bring the added stress of finding childcare, especially if you have left a city where you had family and friends. Like any other city in the U.S., Las Vegas has options when it comes to childcare. In fact, according to Winnie.com, there are over 105 licensed childcare providers in the Las Vegas area to choose from.

It is important to note that the large employers in Las Vegas, especially those in the tourism sector, often offer a child care option. While these benefits are not in abundance, they are worth looking into when considering childcare through your employer.

The local YMCA often offers after-school care and the Clark County Safekey program addresses childcare for kids in K-5 at 84 Clark County Schools. Other options are individual community and recreation centers in the community you choose to relocate to.

More Childcare Resources in Las Vegas:

Is it safe raising a family in Las Vegas?

Our survey respondents say “yes,” but there are always steps you can take to make sure of your family’s safety. Here are some ideas for safety precautions to take after moving to Las Vegas with kids.

Moving to Las Vegas With Kids - Cowabunga Water Park

Enroll the Kids in Swim Lessons

Because of the weather, one major concern for Las Vegas residents is pool safety. Clark County works to prevent drowning deaths in its “Get Healthy” programs. Their data suggest that a majority of drowning deaths among children occur in residential pools. For this reason, swimming lessons are extremely important as your children will be exposed to swimming pools in the Las Vegas Valley. Swim lessons can be found at the YMCA, as well as organizations such as Water Wings and Safe Splash.

Locate the Urgent Care Nearest to Your New Home

Unfortunately, kids will have you racing to urgent care. That’s most likely not news to you as a parent. It’s important to know where you can get quick care and access to healthcare professionals. Care Now Urgent Care facilities are located throughout the Valley and they handle those minor emergencies that may not be worthy of an emergency room but do require medical attention.

Find Places Your Teen Will Enjoy Hanging Out

Teenagers will need diversions in Las Vegas. The challenge is keeping them safe and in spaces that cater to teens as opposed to adults. Shopping districts such as Town Square and Downtown Summerlin offer multi-screen theatres, arcades and dining options that are not adjacent to a casino and are generally considered safe. Teen curfews are 10 pm weeknights and midnight on Saturday and Sunday.

More Resources for Teenagers:

Moving to Las Vegas With Kids - Container Tree House

Where to Find Family-Friendly Activities in Las Vegas

Las Vegas has over 100 parks to choose from with everything from splash pads to skateboard parks to disc golf and dog parks. Oh yes, they also have the traditional fields for soccer and baseball, and courts for tennis, basketball and volleyball.

Some of the best parks include Sunset Regional Park which consists of 324 acres of outdoor fun, Ice Age Fossils State Park located adjacent to Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument and Wetlands Park.

Moving to Las Vegas With Kids - The Discovery Center

Cowabunga Bay Water Park is a great place for the entire family to cool off and challenge their inner adrenaline junkie. The Spring Preserve is perfect for the family looking to learn a little something about their new city while interacting with the desert environment. The Discovery Children’s Museum is perfect for the younger kids who are intrigued by the natural world.

Youth Sports

If you consider the health benefits of athletic activity as well as the ability to socialize with your peers, you can see why finding youth sports for your child in your new city would be beneficial. Las Vegas has the climate to support year-round sports activities for kids and the options are plentiful.

While the NHL has recently moved to Las Vegas, the local hockey community has been here for a while as the Nevada Storm has long been the home of youth hockey. The Vegas Golden Knights have now helped rebrand the organization and created an even larger travel hockey community.

AYSO Soccer has a prominent role in Las Vegas with two regions serving the valley. Region 1258 plays out of the Summerlin area and Region 1315 plays on the south side of town with some games in Summerlin depending on how many teams the regions field.

Youth flag and tackle football is also available and there a number of leagues available for pre-high school-aged children around the valley.

Youth Sports Resources:

Soon you will be racing the kids to practice, dance lessons and play dates all over the Las Vegas area just as you would in any neighborhood. Be sure to take advantage of the large number of recreation and community centers run by the Clark County Parks and Recreation department.

You may have never seen the child-friendly side of the City of Las Vegas before, but the resources are plentiful and the options are varied. As for education, choosing the right school through open enrollment makes a significant difference in the quality of education that your child will receive.

Making the big move to Las Vegas comes with packing your bags, but the psychological baggage will have to be dealt with once the boxes are empty and the cupboards are filled. Take the time to select the right neighborhood and find activities for your kids. It’ll make quick work of settling into your new home.