By: Meenal

“There are places that take your breath away, and then there’s Alaska — where the air feels fresher, the mountains rise taller, and adventure is always just around the bend.”

We are back home after an incredible vacation from Alaska! Though we’re back, my mind keeps going back to the amazing memories and moments we created!
My kids had an amazing time and I have started to feel that the more we travel into nature, the more my kids are beginning to appreciate nature and is offerings. I feel blessed and grateful that we are able to do this with our kids!

We loved exploring Alaska with our family, and would love to share tips, tricks and things to do in Alaska with kids. If you’ve been thinking about visiting Alaska with kids, this blog is part story, part guide — with our exact itinerary, top activities for families, packing essentials, and tips from our late July–early August adventure.

Why Alaska in Summer with Kids?

Alaska in summer is pure magic. The days are long (there is often dimlight until midnight!), the wildlife is out in full force, and the weather is pleasantly cool with occasional bursts of sunshine. It’s a great time for easy hikes, glacier walks, and boat tours without heavy winter gear.

How to Get There

We flew direct from San Francisco (SFO) to Anchorage — a smooth trip that landed us around 9:30 PM.
Anchorage is the perfect starting point for an Alaska road trip with kids, with car rentals available right at the airport. We booked with Avis ahead of time for convenience.

Our 7-Day Family Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Anchorage

• Arrived late evening, picked up our rental car.
• Grabbed a quick pizza dinner at a small café.
• Checked into Home2 Suites by Hilton — clean, comfy, and great for families.

Day 2 – Anchorage to Seward & Exit Glacier Hike

• Had complimentary breakfast at Hilton
• Drove to Seward (about 2.5 hours).
• Hiked Exit Glacier — an easy 3-mile roundtrip, perfect for kids, with stunning glacier views up close.
• Dinner at Breeze Inn — loved the burgers and fish & chips.

Day 3 – Kenai Fjords National Park Boat Tour

• Took a 6-hour Kenai Fjords tour — highlight of the trip!
• Saw orcas, humpback whales, otters, puffins, and more.
• Lunch was delicious burritos on board; pro tip: pack Dramamine if you get seasick.
• They even served margaritas with actual glacier ice!
• Drove back to Anchorage and enjoyed dinner at Bombay Deluxe (amazing Indian food).

Day 4 – Matanuska Glacier & Drive to Denali

• Last-minute booking for Matanuska Glacier Tours — one of the coolest (literally!) experiences ever. Would suggest booking it in advance though!
• 2-hour guided hike with microspikes and helmets provided, $150 per person, $30 for children 14 & under
• Kids loved drinking fresh glacier water straight from the source.
• Lunch at The Long Rifle Lodge — highly recommended!
• Long drive to Denali, arriving near midnight (still light out in summer). Stayed at Holland America Denali Lodge.

Day 5 – Denali National Park (Rainy Day) & Fairbanks

• It was a bummer that day, as it was cloudy and rainy, so no big hikes.
• We took the Tundra Wilderness Tour (bus ride inside the park beyond the private vehicle limit which is around 15miles).
• Drove to Fairbanks and explored the Santa Claus House, reindeer farm, and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

Day 6 – Denali in Sunshine

• On the way back to Anchorage, Denali finally showed off her beauty — clear skies and perfect weather.
• Hiked the Savage River Loop — an easy 3 miles, perfect for kids to explore near the water.
• Stopped at the Denali Visitor Center for souvenirs before driving back to Anchorage.

Day 7 – Homeward Bound

• Morning flight from Anchorage back to SFO, full of memories and way too many photos of glaciers!

Packing Essentials for Alaska with Kids (Summer Edition)

Here’s what we packed that made a huge difference:

Clothing

• Base layers (light merino wool or moisture-wicking)
• Light puffer jacket
• Waterproof & windproof jacket
• Quick-dry pants & comfy hiking shoes
• Hats for sun protection
• Gloves & beanie for chilly glacier days

Gear & Accessories

• Reusable water bottles (kids loved filling them at glaciers!)
• Binoculars for wildlife spotting
• Sunscreen & SPF lip balm — yes, even in Alaska
• Insect repellent — a must for hiking in summer
• Backpacks for snacks and extra layers
• Medical

Weather in Late July / Early August

• Generally pleasant — cool mornings, warm afternoons during hikes, occasional rain.
• Layering is key — mornings and evenings can be chilly, but midday can feel warm in the sun.
• We never needed heavy winter gear, but we were glad to have puffer jackets for glacier days.

Family Tips

• Book tours (especially Kenai Fjords & glacier hikes) in advance, but keep some flexibility for weather.
• Always carry snacks — hungry kids + remote Alaska = not many food stops.
• Allow extra driving time — you’ll want to pull over for views and wildlife.
• If you want to see Northern Lights, visit in September or later when nights get darker.

Alaska in summer is a dream destination for families — safe, adventurous, and breathtakingly beautiful. Whether you’re hiking next to a glacier, spotting whales from a boat, or watching the midnight sun dip behind the mountains, it’s the kind of trip your kids will talk about for years.