Top Family Activities in Alaska

Exploring Alaska can profoundly impact children, enriching their understanding of nature and wildlife while igniting their sense of adventure. Few destinations rival Alaska's vibrant glacier hikes, abandoned gold mines, and awe-inspiring wildlife encounters that inspire wonder in travelers of all ages.

Alaska provides a well-rounded experience whether you opt for a family cruise, explore the bustling city of Anchorage, or venture to various accessible locations, including stunning national parks and glacier treks.

Is Alaska suitable for children?

Alaska is an excellent choice for kids, offering ample opportunities for outdoor fun. The National Park Service runs a Junior Ranger program that’s perfect for young explorers. Age-appropriate books allow kids aged five to 13 to engage deeply with the parks while earning badges for the parks they visit.

All materials can be downloaded beforehand or collected upon arrival, enhancing the overall experience and allowing kids of all ages to earn their most cherished keepsake, the Junior Ranger badge. There's no age restriction—everyone in the family, including parents, can join in the fun.

What are the best spots in Alaska for kids?

Anchorage serves as a convenient starting point or stopping place for any family trip, offering amenities similar to those found in the contiguous U.S. Cruises provide an easy, hassle-free option with many large ships featuring a wealth of family-friendly activities, though potential crowds at ports and on board may not suit everyone.

At Denali National Park, the sled dog yard tour is an exciting component of the Junior Ranger program. Children are introduced to the park’s most renowned residents, culminating in playful interactions with puppies. Kids of all ages will delight in meeting these friendly pups, who undergo socialization training from a young age.

Top Family Activities Near Anchorage

As Alaska's largest city, Anchorage boasts countless options for a family-friendly getaway. With hundreds of miles of trails woven into the city's fabric, families can easily connect these walks with various kid-friendly museums, including the Anchorage Museum, the Museum of Science and Nature, and the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Local spots like Raspberry-Kincaid Park and options further out in Chugach State Park provide abundant choices from the city.

Occasionally, visitors may even catch a glimpse of beluga whales swimming up Ship Creek in central Anchorage. If not seen in the city, locals often venture half an hour south to Cook Inlet, where they partner with the Beluga Whale Alliance, a local nonprofit that educates and monitors the beluga population, offering text alerts worth subscribing to.

This all unfolds during the late summer months along the route to Girdwood, Alaska’s premier ski resort town. In the summer, Alyeska Resort operates a gondola ride up their main run, providing breathtaking views of the Kenai Peninsula and numerous glaciers—perfect for little ones. The nearby Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center offers engaging programs to introduce visitors to the state's iconic wildlife, including bears, moose, caribou, and wood bison.

Top Family Activities Near Seward

Traveling further south to Seward, the Alaska SeaLife Center offers visitors a chance to observe rescued marine mammals up close, contributing to vital conservation efforts. Additionally, ranger-led walks in the fjord provide an excellent opportunity for young children to pursue their Junior Ranger badge.

Just a quick 30-minute drive from Seward leads you to the trail system of Kenai Fjords National Park, featuring the iconic and easily accessible Exit Glacier. The Exit Glacier trail system is primarily flat, with multiple viewpoints that are stroller-friendly, making it perfect for small children.

Seward features a variety of tour operators offering fishing trips, kayaking, guided hikes, and whale-watching tours on small day boats, providing plenty of seaside adventure options.

Top Family Activities in Alaska

Gold mining is a quintessentially Alaskan experience that captivates all ages. Fairbanks is a prime example of this unique activity, where the Gold Daughters offer female-led interpretive tours showcasing mining techniques and fossil discoveries from Alaska's Ice Age. For a deeper dive, the Museum of the North features some of the best science activities for kids in Alaska.

Top Activities for Teens and Tweens in Alaska

Across many towns in Alaska, you can find thrilling activities like white-water rafting, ziplining, and exciting off-roading (ATVing). Companies like Denali ATV provide larger off-road vehicles equipped with booster seats (available on-site), allowing the entire family to join in the fun. At 16, teens can take the wheel with parental permission, following one of the guides. Denali also features a zipline park, another excellent option for older kids.

Essential Planning Tips

• Bugs can be quite a nuisance. During the brief Alaskan summer, be sure to have a bug net for your child-carrying backpack or stroller when heading outdoors.

• Keep children engaged by having them spot wildlife. Look for the plentiful moose and the elusive bears (but keep their expectations in check).

• Be mindful that many campgrounds and rest stops in Alaska may not have changing facilities or running water, so plan accordingly.