Fun Things To Do in Alaska With Kids
Alaska Family Vacation Adventures for All Ages
By Melissa Alvarado Sierra | Published on February 3, 2026
Alaska is a land of icy wonders, towering mountains and extraordinary wildlife. Anyone looking for fun activities for kids need look no further: You can embark on a thrilling journey with your young explorers through the breathtaking landscapes and enjoy a plethora of Alaska adventures.
But the best way to experience Alaska is by cruise. On a ship, your family can explore multiple destinations in one trip without the stress of figuring out where to stay in Alaska, packing and unpacking or navigating remote roads. Cruises bring you closer to glaciers, national parks and small towns in comfort while offering family-friendly entertainment onboard. So grab your binoculars and put on your adventurer hat, because these tips and suggestions will help your family have an unforgettable and enriching experience as the whole gang explores the untamed beauty of this beloved destination. Take it from me — you'll never run out of new and interesting things to do in Alaska with kids during a cruise getaway.
Key Takeaways
- ● A cruise is the easiest and most comfortable way to enjoy an Alaska family vacation, combining onboard fun with off-shore exploration.
- ● Families can enjoy glacier viewing, whale watching, cultural excursions and plenty of kid-friendly dining and entertainment.
- ● Popular stops, including Denali National Park, Seward Sea Life Center and Prince William Sound, offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
- ● The best time to visit Alaska is during the summer from May to September, with July and August offering warmer weather and vibrant wildlife.
- ● A Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise provides you with built-in convenience, flexibility and family activities while traveling through Alaska’s wild beauty.
The Best Time for Your Alaska Family Vacation
The best months to visit Alaska are between May and September, when the weather is welcoming and the scenery is at its most vibrant. Many families choose July or August for their Alaska adventures, since the long daylight hours make it easy to pack in hikes, glacier viewing and wildlife spotting.
Summer is also a perfect time to whale watch in Prince William Sound, visit the Seward Sea Life Center or take a tram ride at Girdwood’s Alyeska Resort. Lively summer festivals — like the Sitka Music Festival or the Alaska Blueberry Festival — and kid-friendly seasonal events — like the Southeast Alaska State Fair or the Tanana Valley State Fair — provide plenty of memorable Alaska vacation ideas to enjoy with your family as you cruise.
What To Pack for an Alaskan Cruise
Alaskan nature is rugged with shifting weather patterns, which is why you want to pack versatile layers, sturdy footwear and weatherproof gear to keep your family comfortable in the region’s rugged and changing conditions. Whether your Alaska vacation ideas include serious adventures or something more relaxing, you'll want to bring summer clothes that layer well but also winter hats, gloves, socks and scarves, and a couple of day backpacks. If your Alaska adventure itinerary includes hiking, bring along sturdy hiking boots that provide good support and traction.
You really want little explorers to be able to navigate the diverse terrain with ease, so bring rain jackets for everyone, plus waterproof covers for your bags and electronics. Knowing your clothes and travel items are dry will allow you to immerse yourself in all of the fun activities in Alaska for kids available without worrying. There's beauty in weather that can change from hour to hour, with sudden rain showers and winds that might take you by surprise. Focus on lightweight, moisture-wicking materials that can be layered easily so that you're comfortable regardless of the weather.
While the icy environment may be the first thing that comes to mind when planning activities for your Alaska family vacation, the sun can also shine, so bring a high-SPF sunscreen to protect everyone's skin from the rays, and don't forget about sunglasses to shield your eyes from glare. Bug repellent is also a critical item, and if you want to avoid spills, you can find it as a convenient wipe that's easy to pack.
Consider also packing binoculars to help little ones spot wildlife in the distance: You might see whales breaching, bald eagles soaring and bears swimming. Animal-spotting defines fun in Alaska for kids and is easily one of the best activities they will discover during their Alaskan adventure.
If you're traveling with small children, don't forget to bring a few packaged snacks for offshore adventures so that a rumbling tummy doesn't interrupt your day. Finally, make sure to pack sleep masks, as the sun sets late in Alaska in the summertime.
Where To View Wildlife and Glaciers
The large windows throughout a cruise ship feel like frames on a landscape painting, highlighting magnificent glaciers, towering mountains and icy fjords, which inevitably come into full view as you sail through the Alaskan waters. A private balcony is the perfect place for the kiddos to search for animals and sea life — especially in hot sighting spots like Prince William Sound, which is an excellent location for whale watching. This is where the wonder begins, and your balcony becomes the best seat in the house during your Alaska family vacation to catch it all. There is no better vantage point for an uninterrupted view of nature and great sea creatures like the humpback whale.
Of course, if you don't have a balcony, spending time up on deck can also be one of the more fun activities for kids, especially on a sea day. I suggest dressing warmly so you don't have to head back to your stateroom for a jacket. Whether you watch for animals from your cabin's veranda or a public terrace, you'll want to keep your phone or camera ready because the views are snap-worthy, and marine critters will appear fast and submerge swiftly.
Exploring Alaska Adventures on Shore
Shore excursions bring the magic of this destination to life for children and include some of the best things to do in Alaska with kids. Imagine dog sledding one day, salmon fishing or kayaking the next and visiting the Seward Sea Life Center when you’re ready for something a little quieter. Plan for endless Alaska vacation ideas that balance adventure and educational fun for the entire family.
During your cruise, you can see Alaska through the shore excursion programs or plan to explore on your own. Since no two kids are alike, choosing the right things to do in Alaska with kids allows you to curate your family's experiences to your own preferences and make the most out of your visit. From heli-hiking to panning for gold, kayaking and riding a train on a narrow-gauge railroad, the options are varied and exciting.
If you wish to venture out on your own, you'll find that the journey will be just as enchanting when you wander through villages and make stops at museums or join different outdoor adventures in the wild. Luckily, even if you’re planning an Alaska family vacation on a budget, the many public parks and trails you’ll encounter during onshore meanderings offer free or low-cost ways to enjoy the wilderness. But be sure to make any plans in advance, as the most popular options sell out during the busy summer season.
For adventurous families planning to hike during their Alaska family vacation, the sprawling public parks — with their forests, wildlife and waterfalls — boast a natural wonderland everyone will enjoy. The little ones will be jumping up and down in awe as they witness astonishing views and encounter different animals, such as black-tailed deer, bald eagles and otters.
In addition, consider booking a cruise with a pre- or post-cruise tour — a multi-day experience that includes a train ride to a wilderness lodge and a deeper look at the vast expanse that is Alaska, from fields of wildflowers to snow-topped mountains. The train will take you to one of the area’s most popular national parks, and a fun outdoor destination in Alaska for kids: the celebrated Denali National Park and Preserve. Travelers who come to Denali encounter a dynamic ecosystem composed of glacially fed rivers, moving glaciers, more than 39 types of mammals and over 1,500 species of plants.
Things To Do Indoors and Onboard
If the weather takes a turn, the kids need a break from exploration or your group is just more excited about cultural activities than the great outdoors, you'll find there are plenty of indoor activities to choose from on your cruise.
Indoor Alaska vacation ideas can include cultural centers — such as the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center in Sitka — and museums — such as Skagway's Gold Rush Museum. You'll also find streets lined with galleries and shops. When hunger strikes, you can sample the local cuisine in each port. Kids will love Alaskan favorites such as pancakes with local birch syrup, bagels topped with cream cheese and locally smoked salmon and ice cream filled with wild local blueberries that are tiny but so, so sweet.
Your ship also offers plenty of activities, from a kids club to a fitness center and spa that even boasts a teen menu, and — depending on your ship — perhaps even a rock-climbing wall, sky diving simulator and surfing simulator. On Ovation of the Seas®, for example, you can check out glacier views from the fully enclosed North Star® capsule, which soars 300 feet above sea level.
Finally, consider bringing games from home to keep the kids entertained on board the cruise ship during long stretches of travel or downtime in between activities. Whether it's a travel-sized board game, a deck of cards, a puzzle for older kids or a coloring book and board books for younger children, these activities are sure to entertain them and provide a more restful moment when they need it. You can also choose to play the games on a table by the pool deck on a lovely day or inside on a chilly one. Just make sure your kids get enough downtime to enjoy all the activities and adventures that await them onboard and onshore.
Those who remain on board during the day will likely find many of the restaurants quieter as passengers explore the exciting sites on land. From pizzerias to hot dog stands and fish and chip spots, you can order up whatever you like with shorter lines in the afternoon. In the evening, when everyone is back and you’re sailing to your next destination, prime spots tend to fill up at most dining venues, so try to make reservations in advance. You may find that older children especially enjoy trying out the different specialty restaurants onboard, which could include everything from a steakhouse to an Italian spot.
Begin Planning Your Alaska Family Cruise
Traveling in Alaska with the whole family is a bucket list item many dream of. A cruise makes this dream easy, offering comfort, entertainment and endless Alaska adventures both onboard and in port. From glacier viewing to cultural experiences, your journey will be unforgettable.
