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Baby Swimming Classes in Chicago: Swimming Lessons for Babies and Toddlers

Goldfish Swim School teaches baby swim lessons in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Goldfish Swim School
Goldfish Swim School teaches baby swim lessons in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Goldfish Swim School
7/8/22 - By Maureen Wilkey

Is your baby or toddler excited by the prospect of getting in the water at the pool or beach? Chicago and the suburbs have plenty of professionals helping little fish get ready to swim. These baby swim classes require a parent to accompany their child in the water and emphasize water safety and basic skills. In fact, most baby swim classes in Chicago focus as much as or more on the parents' comfort and skills as the babies'. Parents should look for baby swimming lessons in their neighborhood and in a comfortable pool—for many, that means indoors and heated—to give their tots the best first-time water experience possible. We've rounded up 15 top baby swim classes in Chicago and the suburbs for parents of the 2 and under crowd to help their students get ready for their first water experience.

Once you and your infant or toddler have mastered the basics, you'll be ready to work with them on building skills and muscle in one of our favorite pools, beaches, or swimming holes around Chicago (just beware: a lifeguard shortage has closed some pools in 2022). To break for some fun and relaxation, try out one of the top splash pads or spraygrounds in Chicago and the suburbs.

 

Photo courtesy of the Goldfish Swim School in Roscoe Village
Photo courtesy of the Goldfish Swim School in Roscoe Village

Baby Swimming Classes in the City and Suburbs

Mini 1 & 2 Programs: Goldfish Swim School

14 Chicago-area locations Ages 4 months and up
The Goldfish Swim School keeps pools heated to a tropical 90 degrees. Babies and toddlers and their parents can enjoy a bonding experience while learning about water safety, improving coordination and balance, and building stronger muscles. READ MORE

Tadpole: British Swim School

10+ Chicago-area locations Ages 3 months and up
British Swim School typically uses health club and hotel pools, but it has its own pool in Villa Park. Its Tadpoles program introduces assisted back floats and submersion while babies sing and splash in the water. READ MORE

Bright Blue: Big Blue Swim School

North Center, Buffalo Grove, Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Niles and Wilmette Ages 3 months and up
Big Blue Swim School emphasizes professional teachers who tailor lessons to each swimmer's needs. Kids ages 3-5 start with basic breath control and move up to mastering flutter kicks. Big Blue uses fun stories and games to introduce these basic swimming skills. READ MORE

Backfloat Baby: Foss Swim School

Lakeview, Elmwood Park, Highland Park, Libertyville, Niles, and South Barrington Ages 4 months and up
In Norwegian, Foss means "fast water." So it feels like the Foss family was meant to found this swim school with six locations in Chicago and the Northern Suburbs. Backfloat Baby classes help infants adjust to being in the water, getting their face wet, and floating. READ MORE

Intro to Splash 1: LifeTime Fitness Kids Swim Lessons

12+ Chicago-area locations Ages 3-36 months
Parents and babies learn to feel comfortable and love the water through songs and games at these fitness center swimming classes. LifeTime Fitness currently has 12 Chicago area locations, with new clubs opening in River North and Lake Zurich in 2022. READ MORE

Infant/Toddler Swim Lessons: YMCA of Metro Chicago

12 Chicago-area locations Ages 6 months and up
YMCA of Metro Chicago offers Baby and Toddler Swim Lessons that emphasize safety first. Babies and parents learn how to safely enter and exit the water, kick, blow bubbles and participate in assisted floating. Swim lessons are offered at 12 locations throughout the city and suburbs. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Blue Dolphins
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Blue Dolphins

Swimming Lessons for Babies in Chicago

Aquababies 1: Galter Life Center

Ages 4 months and up Lincoln Square
This award-winning parent-tot program is dedicated to teaching babies and parents about water safety and acclimation to a pool setting. Parents learn to hold their babies in the water as they master the motor skills associated with swimming including kicking, back floats, and jumps. READ MORE

Baby Toddler Swim Lessons: Chicago Blue Dolphins

Ages 6 months and up Lincoln Park
Founded by a dad who wanted to share his love of swimming with his children, Chicago Blue Dolphins offers a unique endless pool experience where swimmers can see themselves in underwater and ceiling mirrors, and see 360-degree videos of their stroke after the lesson. Baby and toddler lessons focus on songs, games and toys to reduce pressure and anxiety. READ MORE

Parent Tot Swim: The Salvation Army Kroc Center Chicago

Ages 6 months to 3 years West Pullman
Babies and tots can develop swim readiness through fun and confidence building experience in this class that emphasizes water safety and drowning prevention. Infants and toddlers and their parents will learn to feel comfortable in the water with supervision. READ MORE
One of the Platypup Swim Babies, photo courtesy of Pro Swim Academy
One of the Platypup Swim Babies, photo courtesy of Pro Swim Academy

Suburban Baby Swimming Classes

Tadpoles: Aqua Tots Swim School

Ages 4 months and up Wheaton and Tinley Park
Tadpoles lessons for 4-12 month-olds at Aqua Tots teach parents how to confidently hold their baby in the water, as well as how to help babies safely submerge, roll over to float on their backs, and reach for the pool edge. READ MORE

Starbaby: Chicago Swim School

Ages 4 months and up Arlington Heights and Mokena
This family-owned swim school focuses on confidence, community, and achievement. Families start with the Starbaby program to learn holds, cues, and skills in a fun and game-filled atmosphere. Babies will begin to learn about water safety. READ MORE

Parent-Tot Lessons: DuPage Swimming Center

Ages 3 months and up Aurora
DuPage Swimming Center teaches kids confidence and survival skills from three months to adulthood. Parent-Tot lessons are taught in a 3-foot deep, 93-degree pool with a gentle teaching approach emphasizing songs, games and group exercises. Classes teach submersion, floating and safety techniques. READ MORE

Platypup Swim Babies: Pro Swim Academy

Ages 3-23 months Elk Grove Village
Babies can lerarn to love swimming at this safe parent-tot class in Elk Grove Village. Babies learn through movement and experience. This class is for beginners ages three to 23 months with swim diapers. READ MORE

Health Track Sport & Wellness Swim Lessons

Ages 6-36 months Glen Ellyn
Babies and toddlers ages 6 months to three years will work with a parent to get comfortable in the water or bigger kids can learn to swim on their own with lessons at this Glen Ellyn health club. Classes take place in 5-week sessions with one or two lessons per week. Parents can also choose packages of private lessons.  READ MORE

Blue Pearls: Blue Gems Swim School

Ages 6 months to 35 months Norridge
Experienced teachers guide parents through supporting techniques and special activities to help babies become comfortable in the water at this family owned near-suburban swim school. Classes include learning skills like assisted submersion, floating, kicking and gliding. READ MORE

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