Alaska with Teens: How to Plan a Family Trip They’ll Enjoy

Because Alaska is cool — and your teenager might even admit it.

Family vacations with teens can be tricky. They’re old enough to want independence, too cool for kiddie activities, and usually glued to their phones. But this is Alaska! It’s big, wild, and bold enough to impress even the most skeptical teenager. Whether you're cruising the Inside Passage or road-tripping from Anchorage, here’s how to keep teens engaged, curious, and maybe even excited to be on a family adventure.

1. Let Them Choose Adventure

Teens crave freedom and excitement. Alaska delivers both! Choose high-octane activities that tap into their sense of adventure or offer some independence.

Try:

• Ziplining through a canopy of trees
• Ice climbing
• Kayaking near sea otters and icebergs in Valdez or Resurrection Bay from Seward
• Jet skiing near a glacier
• ATV tours
• Dog sledding on a glacier

If they’re more chill than thrill, no problem — many towns offer bike rentals, mellow hikes, or wildlife cruises where they can explore at their own pace (and maybe get a little space from the parents). Here’s a few full teen-ready itineraries.

2. Feed Their Curiosity

Most teens are more curious than they let on. Alaska's raw nature, rich Indigenous culture, and wild history offer plenty of ways to scratch that intellectual itch.

Consider:

• A visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage
• Exploring Gold Rush history in Fairbanks by getting hands-on and panning for gold
• Visiting the musk ox or reindeer farm
• Watching glacier calving and looking for marine wildlife in Kenai Fjords, Prince William Sound, or on a whale watching from Juneau
• Stopping at a local visitor center or ranger talk. Many have interactive exhibits, short films, and young rangers who are great at engaging teens

3. Talk About Going Off the Grid (Before You Go!)

Some of Alaska’s best lodges and adventures are beyond cell coverage. Before you go, talk to your teen about the idea of unplugging. It’s not a punishment, it’s a challenge. A shared one.

Frame it like this: We’re going offline together. No phones, no filters — just moose, mountains, and maybe some card games.

This helps set expectations and makes it feel like a family pact, not a parental decree. And for many teens, the idea of a temporary digital detox in the wilds of Alaska is weirdly appealing.

4. Use the Quiet Moments to Reconnect

Without Wi-Fi, Alaska creates natural windows for connection around a campfire, on a trail, or in a cozy lodge lounge after dinner. Don’t be afraid to break out:

• A deck of cards
• A board game
• Charades (yes, even teens can get into it after a few laughs). Make it Alaska themed for added fun!
• Or just some low-key hangout time on the lodge or cabin deck listening to the sounds outside
  

Hopefully there are some special, shared moments when the phones are down and the midnight sun is up.

5. Let Them Take the Lead (Sometimes)

Teens want to feel trusted, so give them moments to steer the day. Let them pick between a hike or a paddle, choose the restaurant, or be the navigator for a leg of the drive. You can even assign them a role: trip documentarian, wildlife spotter, gear check captain. When they feel ownership, they’re more engaged.

6. Encourage Them to Capture Their Own Story

Alaska is ridiculously photogenic and today’s teens are natural content creators. Let them document the trip their way, even if it’s just selfies with salmon sculptures or murals painted by local artists.

Some might even want to create a highlight reel when they get home. It’s a great way to help them reflect on the experience and share it with friends (without you having to nag them about taking photos).

7. Keep Spirits High with Snacks, Space, and Soundtracks

Long drives are part of the Alaska experience. Stock up on snacks, let them queue up the music, and download a few fun podcasts or audiobooks for the road. Giving teens some say over the vibe helps the hours fly.

8. Leave Room for the Unexpected

Don’t over-plan. Some of Alaska’s best moments happen when you don’t have a tight schedule. Think watching a moose amble across a meadow, skipping rocks on a glacial lake, or making an unplanned stop for ice cream in a small town between destinations.

Alaska Has a Way of Getting Through

Even the most skeptical teen will crack a smile when they’re face-to-face with a breaching humpback, or standing on a glacier under a midnight sun. So lean into the adventure, loosen the itinerary, and trust the landscape — it tends to do the heavy lifting.