a family poses at the Las Vegas air terminal in front of a helicopter

Are Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours Kid-Friendly?

If you're planning a Las Vegas family vacation, you’ll certainly need to plan activities to keep your children occupied. The Strip offers many spectacular shows, exhibits, and thrill-seeking features like the roller coaster at New York-New York or the High Roller Observation Wheel; however, the most memorable experience you can provide your children is a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon West is the nearest region of the park to Las Vegas. You can make the 2.5-hour drive from the Strip, or you can reach the Grand Canyon much faster (and in a much more exciting manner) in a helicopter! If you’re considering a Grand Canyon helicopter tour with your children, here’s everything you need to know before you book your tour.

a child looks excitedly out the window of a Grand Canyon helicopter tour

Are Helicopter Tours Suitable for Children?

Yes! In fact, our helicopters are specifically designed for sightseeing for passengers of all ages. Sit back and relax as your kids gaze out of the panoramic windows, offering a 180-degree view of the landscape beneath you. Headsets within the aircraft allow passengers to speak to one another, so you can communicate and share your excitement as a family.

Along the way, you’ll find aerial views of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, the Colorado River, the wild Arizona desert, and of course – the Grand Canyon itself. Some helicopter tours even land on the canyon floor!

a family with children sit inside a helicopter before its departure to the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour Safety

Helicopter Tour Age Requirements

As previously mentioned, there is no age restriction to enjoy a Grand Canyon helicopter tour. Children under the age of 2 can sit on their parent’s lap and do not require a ticket to board. Passengers over the age of 16 must provide a government-issued ID before boarding.

Car seats and strollers or prams can be stowed at our air terminal during your tour. It is recommended that parents bringing these items contact our reservations team in advance to be best accommodated.

What to Bring on Your Helicopter Tour

Because both Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon experience intense heat in the warmer months, passengers are welcome and advised to bring a water bottle with them during their journey. Parents can also pack snacks and other beverages for their kids to enjoy upon landing (should you choose a tour that includes ground time at the canyon), but food and beverages other than water cannot be opened or consumed in the aircraft.

Helicopter Tour Safety

Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters prioritizes safety above all. In fact, we are fully certified by the Tour Operators Program of Safety (TOPS). This organization requires us to follow safety protocols even stricter than the FAA. Every member of our staff, maintenance personnel, and pilots regularly undergo audits and training sessions to ensure that all safety measures are met to the highest standard.

Learn more about our strict safety operations and procedures.

guests at the Grand Canyon West stand atop the Skywalk bridge surrounded by canyon scenery

Grand Canyon Activities for Kids

There’s so much to do at the Grand Canyon West aside from simply taking in the scenery. Of course, the most high-demand experience is a helicopter landing on the canyon floor. From there, you can toast champagne while the kids explore or even enjoy a Colorado River boat ride.

Choose a tour that includes the Grand Canyon West All Access pass for even more activities on the surface. Stand atop the world-famous Skywalk glass-bottomed bridge, visit Hualapai Point and shop for handmade Native American goods, meet and greet Hualapai Tribe ambassadors, and use free shuttle service to reach Guano Point for a 360-degree canyon view. The All Access pass also includes a meal credit to keep the kids energized and content.

a child poses with a pilot in front of a helicopter landed at the bottom of the Grand Canyon

Best Grand Canyon Tours for Families

No matter how much time you have available in your Vegas vacation, you can experience the Grand Canyon West on a thrilling helicopter tour. Here are some of the best options for a family day trip from Las Vegas:

  • Golden Eagle Air Tour: The fastest way to view the Grand Canyon from above. Fly from Las Vegas over the Grand Canyon West then return to the air terminal with photos and memories to last a lifetime.
  • Grand Celebration Tour: Fly over the Nevada desert before reaching the Grand Canyon West, where your helicopter will land on the very bottom. Enjoy exploration time and a champagne toast with refreshments before returning to Las Vegas.
  • Grand Voyager Rim to River: Land on the very bottom of the Grand Canyon and board an awaiting pontoon boat for a peaceful float on the Colorado River. Then, fly back to the surface for shuttle transportation to Eagle Point and Guano Point.
  • VIP Grand Canyon Heli, Boat & Skywalk Tour: One of the most all-inclusive Grand Canyon West tours available! Enjoy a landing on the canyon floor, a Colorado River boat ride, and an All Access pass to stand atop the Skywalk and visit multiple destinations throughout the park.
a family of four poses on the Las Vegas air terminal tarmac in front of a sightseeing helicopter

Book Your Family’s Helicopter Tour with Papillon!

As the world’s largest and longest-operating air tour company, we have had the extreme pleasure of transporting families from around the world to incredible American Southwest destinations like the Grand Canyon West, Grand Canyon National Park, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Bryce Canyon, and beyond. Give your kids the gift of the Grand Canyon with memories and photos they’ll cherish for the rest of their lives – book your tour from Las Vegas today!