Las Vegas Heavy Equipment Playground: Dig, Push, and Play!

A giant excavator, a mound of dirt, and a set of controls that can lift, swing, and scoop: this is Las Vegas playtime on a very different scale. At Dig This, you operate the equipment yourself while an instructor guides you from the ground, turning a childhood big-toy fantasy into a real, hands-on session.

I like two things especially: you get genuine control of the machine, not just a ride, and the instructors make room for both practice and playful challenges such as stacking tires or shooting bucket basketball. Brian, Mark, and other instructors are praised for clear, patient coaching, which matters when the levers first feel like a cockpit.

The main consideration is cost and time: the advertised price is $27.50 per person, but you choose from different machines and session options, so check the exact package before booking. The roughly 90-minute visit includes check-in, orientation, training, and moving around the site, not just uninterrupted time at the controls.

At a glance

• You operate the machine yourself: An instructor guides you by two-way radio, but the controls are yours.
• The sandbox has real work to do: Dig trenches, push earth, move tires, and try bucket basketball or other equipment challenges.
• Choose your machine and session: Equipment ranges from small excavators to 20-ton excavators and bulldozers, with options that vary by age and booking selection.
• Plan for a safety-first start: Expect a 15-minute orientation, hard hat, high-visibility vest, waiver, and breathalyzer test.
• A small group keeps instruction personal: The maximum group size is nine, and the session ends with a certificate of completion.
• The Strip is a short ride away, not next door: Make your own way to 800 W Roban Ave; the site is described as a 10 to 15-minute ride from Strip hotels.

Big machines, real controls, and a playful purpose

Dig This replaces the usual Las Vegas lineup of shows, casinos, and restaurants with a giant sandbox and working heavy equipment. You are not sitting in a simulator or watching a demonstration. After training, you take a turn in the cab and use the machine to dig, push, lift, or move objects.

That hands-on element is the point. Operating an excavator takes coordination, and a simple task like scooping dirt can demand more care than you expect. The fun comes from learning those controls, then seeing the machine respond to your movements. Even a first-timer can work toward a clear goal, from making a trench to picking up a ball and dropping it into a tire.

The activity is designed to be approachable, not a test of prior experience. You do not need a driver’s license, and the instructor stays in contact by headset. Guides such as Brian, Mark, Phil, and Dakota have been singled out for patient, encouraging instruction. Their role is practical as well as reassuring: they explain the controls, help you build confidence, and keep the activity moving safely.

From check-in to the first scoop

Arrive at Dig This headquarters at 800 W Roban Ave, Las Vegas. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to arrange your own ride. The site has free parking, and a rideshare or taxi is another option. The location is described as a 10 to 15-minute ride from a Strip hotel, though your actual trip will depend on where you are staying and traffic.

Before you operate anything, staff give a safety briefing and outfit you with a high-visibility vest and hard hat. The included orientation lasts about 15 minutes. You also sign a waiver and take a breathalyzer test. That test is a firm safety requirement, not a formality: if you fail it, the activity is non-refundable.

Next comes a cab-side introduction to the controls. This is useful because heavy equipment does not handle like a car, and the levers and buttons can look daunting at first. Your instructor explains what each does and communicates with you through a two-way radio headset, so you can ask questions and follow directions while working.

The full session lasts about 90 minutes, but that total includes check-in, orientation, training, and moving between the terminal and work area. Keep that in mind when comparing packages. The time you spend operating the machine is part of a guided sequence, rather than a full hour and a half of uninterrupted free play.

Digging, pushing, and learning the controls

Once you are in the machine, expect a few warm-up exercises. You may dig, trench, push earth, and drag a load around the lot. These early tasks let you get used to the controls before moving on to more playful challenges.

There is a pleasing change of scale here. From the cab, even basic work feels substantial: the bucket bites into dirt, the tracks move across the lot, and a small control adjustment can change the angle of the scoop. The instructors help you work out the motions without taking over the experience. That balance is valuable if you have never operated machinery and are worried you will struggle.

The challenges give your practice a purpose. You might stack 2,000-pound tires, arrange them into a shape, or use an excavator bucket to pick up balls and drop them into a tire target. Bucket basketball makes a good test of fine control: the machine is huge, but success depends on careful, small movements. Other playful tasks include excavator basketball and bulldozer teeter-totter.

There is also the simple pleasure of making the machine move. Some participants have enjoyed spinning the excavator cab or popping a wheelie. The instructor sets the tasks and keeps watch, so treat these as guided activities, not permission to operate however you please. The goal is to have fun while following the safety directions.

Choosing a machine and package

Dig This has several types of equipment, including 20-ton excavators, 10-ton bulldozers, 5-ton skid steer loaders, 6-ton excavators, and 1-ton excavators. The booking choice matters: the machine, duration, and activities depend on the session you select. Check the package details carefully so you know what you will be operating.

Age rules vary by equipment. The general activity information gives a minimum age of 14, while equipment-specific limits list younger ages for some machines: bulldozers are 14 and up, 20-ton excavators 12 and up, and 6-ton excavators and skid steers 8 and up. A 1-ton excavator is listed for children ages 3 to 5 with guardian assistance; children 5 and up may operate independently if they are at least 48 inches tall. Since the general minimum and machine-specific ages differ, confirm the age rule for your chosen session before booking.

Only one person operates a machine at a time, and there is one seat in the cab. You cannot split a package between two people or ride along with someone else, apart from the stated guardian assistance on the 1-ton excavators. Friends and family can watch from two dedicated spectator areas, so they can take photos and follow the action without crowding the operator.

What the $27.50 price means

At $27.50 per person, the listed price makes this an unusual activity to compare with a standard attraction. But the price is tied to the selected session, and the experience offers different machines and durations. Check the exact option and total cost at booking rather than assuming every package has the same price.

For the right person, the value is in actually learning to operate a large machine, with safety equipment, instruction, a radio headset, and structured tasks included. You also receive a certificate of completion and can take a commemorative photo. A retail store is available if you want a souvenir, though shopping is not part of the included activity.

Transportation is a separate cost and deserves a place in your plans. You must get to the site yourself, and the ride from the Strip can add expense and time. Free parking makes driving convenient if you have a car; if not, plan your taxi or rideshare before setting out.

The group limit of nine helps keep the activity from feeling like a large tour, and each person gets a turn at the controls. Still, a small group does not mean everyone operates at once. If you are booking with a partner or family, remember that each machine has one operator, while the others watch and communicate by headset where provided.

Comfort, safety, and who will enjoy it

The equipment is climate-controlled, which is a practical plus in Las Vegas heat or cooler weather. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes; comfortable clothing is fine. You may get some dust on your shoes, but there is no requirement for special work clothes.

The activity requires a breathalyzer test and a signed waiver. It is not recommended for pregnant participants or people with back problems, and the stated fitness guidance calls for a strong physical fitness level. For guests with disabilities, most experiences may be accommodated, but good vision and good use of the upper body are required. Deaf or hard-of-hearing participants need to provide someone who can help instructors communicate through sign language.

This is a natural fit for machinery fans, curious first-timers, families who meet the machine’s age rules, and anyone looking for a hands-on break from the Strip. It can also work as a birthday treat or a group outing. You do not need previous experience, but you should be comfortable listening to instructions and taking your time with the controls.

The session is offered in English. If you do not speak English fluently, you may bring an interpreter into the field to assist, and you should note that plan in the special requirements box when booking.

Should you book Dig This?

Book this if you want to operate real heavy equipment, enjoy practical challenges, or have a long-standing curiosity about what it feels like to run an excavator or bulldozer. The guided instruction, small group limit, and silly-but-satisfying tasks make the activity accessible to beginners without reducing it to a quick photo opportunity.

Think twice if you want a low-cost, no-planning stop near your hotel, dislike dust, or would rather spend your time watching than taking the controls. The price depends on the package, transport is on you, and the 90-minute duration includes the safety and training stages.

If the idea of digging a trench, moving a giant tire, or landing a bucket basketball shot makes you grin, this is a strong choice for a Las Vegas day with a different kind of payoff. Confirm your machine, age requirements, and session length, then arrive ready to listen, learn, and work the controls.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The session is approximately 90 minutes. That total includes check-in, orientation, training, and moving between the terminal and activity area.

How do I get to Dig This from the Strip?

Hotel pickup is not included. The site at 800 W Roban Ave is described as a 10 to 15-minute ride from Strip hotels. Free parking is available, and you can also use a taxi or rideshare.

Do I need a driver’s license or machinery experience?

No driver’s license or prior driving experience is required. You receive an orientation and hands-on instruction before operating the equipment.

What should I wear, and what safety steps are required?

Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Staff provide a hard hat and high-visibility vest. You must sign a waiver and pass a breathalyzer test before operating a machine.

Can I ride in the cab with someone or share a package?

No. Each machine has one seat and one operator, and packages cannot be split between two people. Friends and family may watch from two designated spectator areas.

Can someone who does not speak English fluently take part?

Instruction is given in English. You may bring an interpreter into the field to assist, and you should note this in the special requirements box when booking.