Family Friendly Activities in Alaska | Travel Alaska

For your next family vacation, it’s time to think big. As the nation’s largest state, Alaska serves up some great family-friendly adventures. From wildlife viewing to hiking to ziplining and kayaking, you’ll find activities statewide that appeal to people of all ages. Check out our top 5 family-friendly activities in Alaska:

1. Wildlife sighting

Alaska is home to some of the world’s most amazing wildlife, including brown and black bears, whales, moose, wolves, caribou and more. Kids and parents alike will be amazed to see Alaska’s diverse wildlife in their natural habitat on a wildlife viewing tour, and be sure to keep an eye on the weather wherever you go, whether on a hike, cruise or motorcoach tour, or just out and about. Dinner.

For a guaranteed up-close look at Alaska’s wildlife, be sure to visit one (or more!) of the state’s fantastic wildlife conservation and rehabilitation centers. These centers treat and rehabilitate injured and orphaned animals and support research important to the conservation of Alaska’s land and marine wildlife. From bears to birds to belugas, Alaska conservation centers are a great way to come face-to-face with Alaska’s wildlife. Many centers offer behind-the-scenes tours and animal encounters so you can learn more about the animals. Be sure to check out the following:

If that’s not enough, you can make friends with reindeer at the Reindeer Ranch in Fairbanks and Palmer and hike among the musk oxen at Musk Ox Farm in Palmer.

2. Walking

No visit to Alaska is complete without putting on those hiking boots and exploring on your own two feet. There are endless mountains to climb and miles to cover, and you’ll find a selection of family-friendly hikes everywhere you go. Here are some of our favorite family-friendly hikes that lead to great views and wildlife viewing opportunities without being too long and tiring:

Looking for some ideas to make your Alaska hike as fun as possible for the little ones? Bring binoculars so your kids can get better views of the wildlife and landscape. Have a brutal quest along the way. Look for walking sticks. Have kids pack a light bag with some of their favorite snacks. Don’t set your sights too high on the distance based on age. Build in some extra time for kids to explore at their own pace and enjoy the little things. If you let the experts guide you, consider joining a guided hiking or glacier tour.

3. Winter activities

Winter or summer, Alaska offers fun for all ages. There are plenty of outdoor winter activities to keep you busy throughout the day, followed by hot chocolate and quality family time in the evening. Get active in winter sports including downhill skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, sledding, ice skating, fat tire biking and snowshoeing. And don’t forget Alaska’s official state sport: dog mushing. The whole family will enjoy driving behind a team of dogs as they speed through the snow-covered forest. Many kennels are open year-round and offer kennel tours and demonstrations before you meet the dogs on a sledding tour.

Winter in Alaska is also the time to take part in some of the state’s best family-friendly festivals and events, including Fur Rondi, the World Snow Art Championship and the Iditarod. If you’re willing to keep the kids up a little late, consider joining a Northern Lights viewing tour, where experienced guides will take you to the best spots to view the Northern Lights, sometimes with a warming hut and hot drinks to keep everyone warm. And comfortable.

4. Museums and cultural centers

Alaska is home to some world-class museums and cultural centers that delight children and adults alike with interactive exhibits and learning about Alaska’s unique wildlife, history, and Alaska Native culture. The not-to-be-missed Anchorage Museum is a fun and interactive discovery center, filled with hands-on exhibits and an impressive planetarium. Other family-friendly museums and cultural centers in Alaska include:

5. Tours (from ATVs to Ziplines)

There are enough tours and excursions in Alaska to fill the trips of a lifetime, and you’ll find that most tours offer options that the whole tribe can enjoy. Here are some of our best family-friendly tours from A to Z:

• ATV tours that take you into the Alaskan backcountry to see the scenery and wildlife. Many operators, especially popular in the Denali area, offer muti passenger ATVs for the kids to ride along for fun.
• Day cruises to see whales, wildlife and glaciers from coastal communities in Alaska such as Seward, Whittier, Juneau, Valdez, Gustavus and more. Many cruise companies offer half-day tours, perfect for families, with educational children’s programs and activities on board.
• Take a flight to get a better view of Alaska’s vastness. Kids and adults alike will enjoy bird’s-eye views and the thrill of flying in a small plane, with some tours landing at remote locations – even on glaciers – for further exploration.
• Kayaking among protected coves from coastal communities throughout Alaska. Choose a family-friendly half-day tour that offers double kayaks for a fun way to experience marine wildlife and scenic views. For even more fun on the water, book a rafting day trip.
• Train rides on the Alaska Railroad or the White Pass and Yukon Line Railroad are family favorites. The Alaska Railroad runs from Seward to Fairbanks, with several stops along the way for some fantastic day-trip options. Wildlife sightings, scenery, on-board meals and dining, and entertaining narration are part of the experience. The White Pass and Yukon Line Railroad departs from Skagway and explores the history of the Klondike Gold Rush with hiking options.
• Zip lines! Need we say more? Zoom through the trees on spectacular zipline rides in the Inland, South Central and Inland Pass communities. You’re sure to have some family bonding on this adrenaline-filled adventure.

No matter what you do, a family vacation to Alaska is sure to create memories that last a lifetime.