Q: Our family is considering Alaska. Where should I start when planning with children?

A: Alaska is very kid-friendly. Wildlife sightings and glacier viewing are as fun for a 5-year-old as they are for a 45-year-old. That said, 5 years is about the youngest age where a trip to Alaska makes sense, both in terms of making the most of the expenses and the ability to participate. Beyond age, consider a few factors as you lay out your plans.

• Break up the trip into short legs. The hours-long driving distances between major points in Alaska could make for some tedious travel time for kids (and their parents, too). If you want to get from Kenai Fjords National Park to Denali National Park, for instance—362 miles apart—break it up with overnight stops in Anchorage and Talkeetna.

• Definitely rent a car. It makes economical sense, compared to process for trains and buses, and it gives you freedom to move at your own pace.

• Don’t feel bad for going budget-level on some excursions. The less-expensive activities tend to be shorter and simpler, which is better for kids anyway. For instance, a $50 bus trip to Mendenhall Glacier may be as much ice as your young one wants—and it’s a whole lot cheaper than a trip that uses a helicopter.