Las Vegas insiders often note that The Strip is designed as an adult playground and that it's often wise to leave the kids at home.

This is the 21st century, however, and there are those situations in which parents must take the children along. Parents should be pleased to know that Las Vegas does offer some opportunities for the younger set.

There's Circus Circus, for instance. Offering a full hotel and casino to keep Mom and Pop happy, Circus Circus also delivers entertainment that keeps children foremost in mind. Carnival games, clowns and a snack train all are far from the gaming hustle-bustle, as are face painting and ongoing trapeze, high-wire, juggling and teeterboard acts.

At Circus Circus' fully enclosed, five-acre Adventure Dome, 18 special rides and attractions appeal to thrill seekers of all ages. The dome features a roller coaster, a boat ride, an IMAX theater and an Inverter. Wristbands allow unlimited rides. Call (702) 794-3939 for more information.

Other Las Vegas activities for children include:

Bonnie Springs Ranch/Old Nevada

Kids of all ages will enjoy this re-creation of the Old West, built on the actual site of an 1843 wagon supply stop. Catch the tongue-in-cheek theater show. Bonnie Springs also includes a miniature train ride, a petting zoo and a restaurant. Travel west on Charleston Blvd.; $6.50 adults; $4 children ages 5-11; (702) 875-4191/875-4300.

Cha! Cha!'s Breakfast Carnival

Awaiting visitors here are fabulous food and festivities featuring magicians, face painters and Cha! Cha!, the red-eyed tree frog. Rainforest Cafe is at MGM; (702) 891-8580.

Coney Island Emporium

Enjoy the sights and sounds of a Las Vegas tribute to the East-coast resort of yesteryear. The emporium encompasses more than 32,000 square feet of games of skill, video arcades, bumper cars, a laser-tag arena and a prize center with hundreds of items to win. Located on the second floor of the New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Coney Island is open 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday-Thursday and until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday and prior to school holidays; (702) 736-4100.

Cowboy Trail Rides

Ride along rustic mountain trails and high desert trails on an authentic mustang, and catch sight of wild burros and free-ranging, wild horses. True cowboys accompany the rides, and it's all right for first-time tenderfoots and kids ages 6 and over to saddle up, too. Sunset barbecue and Kyle Canyon Road rides also are available. A free shuttle departs from Excalibur. Catch the rides at Red Rock Canyon Riding Stables, West Charleston Road; (702) 387-2457.

Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage

Watch these amazing creatures as they play in huge aquariums. Tour guides take you to an underground viewing room, where a video of the birth of a dolphin named "Squirt" is shown. The habitat is open 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $10, and children under 10 are admitted free of charge. Special rates Wednesdays. Price includes tour of Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden Thursdays-Tuesdays; (702) 791-1111.

Ethel M Chocolate Factory Tour

You'll find yourself lured along by the heady smell of chocolate at Ethel M as you see how candy is made. It's a self-guided tour that finishes on a sweet note -- free candy. A desert garden invites you for a stroll afterwards. Free. 2 Cactus Garden Dr., Henderson; 1-888-627-0990.

Flamingo Hilton Wildlife Habitat

Carved out of 15 acres, this is a charming menagerie of African penguins, beautiful flamingos, graceful swans, fish, turtles and cockatoos. Catch the penguin feeding at 3 p.m. daily. Free; (702) 733-3111.

GameWorks

Hardcore gamers will find advanced, cutting-edge games that will shift and change according to play level and responses. There's a full selection of sports, as well as arcade favorites. Games range from 50 cents to $4 each, using prepaid access cards. Open 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday-Thursday and until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. GameWorks is at 3785 Las Vegas Blvd. South; (702) 432-GAME.

Lied Discovery Children's Museum

It's the world's fourth biggest museum devoted to children and their natural curiosity. More than 100 hands-on exhibits, featuring an early childhood pavilion, help make sense of science and nature, the arts and humanities. Admission prices are $5 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under. Lied is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but it's closed Mondays. It's at 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North; (702) 382-3445.

MGM Lion Habitat

For decades, the roaring lion has symbolized MGM movies. A descendant of that marquee lion -- plus his buddies -- is featured in this tri-level habitat. Stroll along the see-through tunnel that runs through the area as lions prowl above and below. It's a safe way to get up close and personal with one of the world's most majestic creatures. This attraction at MGM Grand is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily; admission is free. 1-800-929-1111.

M & M's World

For chocolate lovers, this is a fantasy from their wildest dreams. This unique logo shopping experience has interactive entertainment that dazzles with chocolate, color and fun. Fill a bag from the Colorworks display; see the 40-foot neon bag of chocolates, and enjoy the 3-D animated movie. M & M's is open 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday-Thursday and until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. 3785 Las Vegas Blvd. South; (702) 740-2525.

Nevada State Museum & Historical Society

Stand by a 13-foot-tall mammoth skeleton, look at the state fossil -- the 48-foot-long icthyosaur -- and see an insightful review of Las Vegas' beginnings. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; $2 adults; children under 18, free. 700 Twin Lakes Drive (part of Lorenzi Park); (702) 486-5205.

Secret Garden at Mirage

At Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden, see an Asian elephant, tigers, lions, panthers and leopards while strolling through lush paradise. Audio phones tell about each animal and its habits. Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday (except Wednesday) and from 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday; $10 (entry into both dolphin area and Secret Garden); under 10, free; (702) 791-7111.

Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay

Featuring 2,000 dangerous and unusual aquatic animals from the world's tropical waters, Shark Reef takes visitors on a journey through an ancient temple that has been slowly claimed by the sea. View 100 aquatic species, including 13 different species of sharks. Open daily 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Adults $12.95; children 5-12, $9.95; under 5 admitted free; (702) 632-7580.