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Las Vegas, Nevada lures visitors with freebies. FTF's no-budget columnist takes a closer look at the ones that strike gold with families.

If you think Las Vegas is one of the last places on earth to take your kids, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. This desert city, built by mobsters, offers the young and the restless an eclectic mix of child-friendly sights and sounds.

[Editor's Note: Get great savings with the Las Vegas Explorer's Pass: It saves you up to 50% on regular ticket prices. Choose up to 7 shows, attractions, tours and nightlife tickets for one low price!]

Many of thee sights and sounds I list are on the house. Free fun in the place where the “urge to splurge” is encouraged? You bet. So go ahead -- indulge and entertain your family without opening the wallet. And without having to have a birds-and-the-bees talk afterwards.

Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
3667 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702/785-5555
I must begin with one of my favorite cheap eats that just opened in Vegas. Pink's, the famous hot dog joint from downtown Los Angeles, has opened a branch in the Planet Hollywood Hotel. Almost 70 years ago, Pink’s originated in Los Angeles as a family-owned hot dog stand and evolved into the “Home of the World’s Best Chili Dog,” a title earned for the recipe specially developed by founder, Betty Pink. The hot dogs are all beef with natural casing -- healthy for the kids -- and Hollywood celebrities ranging from Robert Goulet to Snoop Dog have dined out there for years. Look for 14 varieties of dog here, plus alcohol served indoors or at the al fresco cafe.

M & M World
3785 South Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702/736-7611
Practice idolatry in this 28,000-square-foot, four-story temple to the tasty treat. Take part in “I Lost My M in Vegas” movie at M&M Academy. Be dazzled by dozens of different M&M colors. Browse through an array of M&M memorabilia. Kids will love it too. Open 9am-11pm Sun-Thurs and 9am-12am Fri-Sat. Free: entrance, movie. The movie runs 10am-6pm Sun-Thur; 10am-8pm Fri-Sat.

Ethel M. Chocolate Factory & Botanical Cactus Garden
2 Cactus Garden Drive
Henderson, NV 89104
702/435-2655
Forrest Mars, the candy magnate behind Mars bars and M&Ms, built this desert factory to honor his mother Ethel. Visitors are welcome to wonder around, watch the candy-making process, and indulge in complimentary samples afterwards. Outside, there’s a two-acre cactus garden containing over 300 assorted prickly plants. Kids, please note the sign: “Be careful. Cactus bite.” Ouch. Henderson is just 10 miles from the Strip. Hours: 8:30am-6pm Free: factory tour (on weekdays), samples, and cactus garden.