Alaska.com: Alaska's Travel Website

Although only about 6 percent of visitors to Alaska in 2006 were under the age of 18, we're guessing they were some of the ones who had the greatest fun. Alaska is a family-friendly destination with lots to do for young people. From fishing to swimming and biking to hiking, there is a way to keep younger ones entertained while still appreciating Alaska from an adult's point of view.

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According to the study released by the Alaska Office of Economic Development, Alaska Visitor Statistics Program V: Summer 2006, some of the most popular activities included shopping and visiting museums -- events that often have kids rolling their eyes, thinking, "Are we done yet?" Clearly, these are adult-oriented endeavors.

But look further at the list and there are great ideas for kids too. Camping, hiking and kayaking make the list. There's fishing, rafting and biking too.

And adults can also enjoy those things.

Southcentral Alaska has some great family-friendly day hiking. Our top three choices are the Winner Creek Trail in Girdwood, Flattop in Anchorage and Independence Mine at Hatcher Pass. Each hike is unique. Winner Creek passes through lush northern rain forest and opens up to a hand-tram that adventurous hikers can cross just for the fun of it. Flattop, the most popular day hike in all of Alaska, includes a steep above-tree-line boulder hop that offers the best bird's-eye view of Anchorage. Independence Mine, also above tree line, gives the curious hiker unlimited terrain to explore in a historically significant setting. All three hikes are outlined in the guidebook "55 Ways to the Wilderness in Southcentral Alaska" by Helen Nienhueser and John Wolfe Jr.

Another location for short hikes, often led by naturalists, is the Eagle River Nature Center (www.ernc.org, 694-2108), about 25 minutes north of Anchorage. On Saturdays, programs designed for school-age children explore everything from animal tracking to tree identification.

Cycling is another popular choice for children, and parents can get in on the fun too. We like the 12.5-mile Indian-to-Girdwood Trail, which begins at the Indian ball fields along the Seward Highway and winds through the woods and along the north end of Turnagain Arm to Girdwood. Another option is the 11-mile Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, which starts in downtown Anchorage and skirts the water's edge, eventually ending at Kincaid Park on the west side of town.

Bicycle rentals can be had from Downtown Bicycle Rental (www. alaska-bike-rentals.com), which offers child- and adult-sized bikes, trailers and trail-a-bikes on an hourly, half-day and full-day basis.

Believe it or not, kids do swim outdoors in Alaska. During the summer, the Municipality of Anchorage staffs two area lakes with lifeguards for urban swimming. On those rare hot-weather days, Anchorage children flock to these lakes to enjoy the water and play on the sandy beaches. Check www.muni.org/parks and click the "lakes" link for details. Other lakes are open to swimming too, but at your own risk.

Indoor swimming can be had at the wildly popular and often busy H2Oasis Waterpark in South Anchorage (www.h2oasiswaterpark.com). The park is always warm and balmy, and the kids can spend an entire day floating the "lazy river," riding the Master Blaster watercoaster or splashing in the wave pool.

Or check out the more affordable Anchorage municipal pool schedule. Many high schools have swimming pools open to the community. A family of four can swim for less than $20. The swimming pool at West High is particularly popular because it has a water slide. Check www.muni.org/parks and click on the "pools and waterslide" link for the open-swim schedules at each of the pools.

Camping is another option for entertaining children, although you have to come prepared for that activity. Some gear rentals are available through REI (1200 W. Northern Lights Blvd., 272-4565), but they are limited. For convenient camping, we like the Bird Creek Campground, which is just 20 minutes south of downtown Anchorage. There is access to fishing and biking from this spot too. Or try the Eklutna Lake campground, which requires a drive north of Anchorage but rewards its visitors with out-of-the-way camping in a wildernesslike setting.

Alaska State Parks (www.alaska stateparks.org) oversees several of the more popular camping areas. Also check out Lifetime Adventures (www.lifetime adventures.net), a concessionaire at Eklutna Lake that offers kayak and bike rentals. More off-the-beaten-path camping is available through Chugach National Forest, which has a cabin rental system that makes camping even easier (www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach).

The Alaska Visitor Statistics Program survey lists fishing as one of the most popular activities for visitors of all ages. This is clearly an activity for the whole family. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game stocks many area lakes for fishing, and such locations as Ship Creek in downtown Anchorage and the Eklutna Tailrace just north of Anchorage are popular destinations for day anglers. Check the sportfish Web site for details on the best fishing locations, regulations and licensing information (www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/sf_home.cfm).

What locals say

"My favorite thing to do in the summer? That would probably be to visit the nearest ice cream shop, after a bike ride to get there. And we like to go to Harrison Lagoon (in Prince William Sound) because you can go shrimping."

-- Carly Dennis, 9

Here are some other options for family fun in and around Anchorage:

1. The imaginarium: A child's science and education center with lots of fun, hands-on activities. Located in downtown Anchorage. (www.imaginarium.org, 737 W. Fifth Ave.)

2. Anchorage museum at rasmuson center: Located downtown and featuring a kids' museum and Alaska history section. (www.anchoragemuseum.org)

3. The alaska zoo: A popular year-round destination with kids and adults, with polar bears, grizzlies, moose and caribou. There are even two snow leopards. (www.alaskazoo.org, 346-3242)

4. playgrounds: The Municipality of Anchorage has more than 120 parks and playgrounds to explore. We like Earthquake Park. Valley of the Moon is popular too. Check www.muni.org/parks/parks.cfm for details on other options.

5. FRISBEE GOLF: Westchester Lagoon and Kincaid Park have awesome Frisbee golf courses available for use. Visit www.muni.org/parks/parks.cfm for details.

6. movie time: If you get a rainy day, sometimes a movie, even during vacation, can be fun. Check out Century 16 Theatres, a Midtown movie theater with the latest-run movies in several theaters. (www.fandango.com; search for Anchorage location). Even better if you can find a good movie playing is the Bear Tooth Theatrepub, which offers inexpensive second-run movies and in-theater dining with Anchorage's most popular pizza (www.beartooththeatre.net).

7. alaska rock gym: With more than 6,000 square feet of climbing surface designed and operated by climbers, it includes a kids' climbing area and special kid-climbing programs. (4840 Fairbanks St., 562-7265, www.alaskarockgym.com) Other fun options

Even children can handle a road trip if you make sure to work in some adventure along the way. Here are a few of our favorite destinations from Anchorage and what to do once you're there:

• homer, on the shores of Kachemak Bay, is one of Alaska's most scenic and recreation-filled towns, with options for hiking, camping, kayaking and fishing. Visit www.homeralaska.org for details.

• seldovia, across Kachemak Bay on the southern Kenai Peninsula, is a small town with a big Fourth of July celebration. Ferry service is available, as well as daily charter boat or air flights. Hiking, camping, tide pooling, fishing and kayaking are some of the activities to enjoy. Check out the community Web site, www.seldovia.com.

• seward is a great destination for wannabe marine biologists. Be sure to check out the Alaska SeaLife Center. The marine research facility has some fascinating displays, as well as a touch tank and Woody the sea lion (www.seward.com). The best time to take kids fishing in Seward is August, during the silver salmon run.

• alaska railroad offers day trips to Talkeetna to the north or Seward to the south. These trips take in some of the most beautiful scenery in Southcentral Alaska and give kids the chance to get up and walk around, rather than be strapped into a seat belt all day (www.alaskarailroad.com, 1-800-544-0552).