Dickens on the Strand is one of the most unique annual events near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
Dickens on The Strand, Holiday Festivals, and More Things to Do in Houston This Weekend with Kids
Bass Pro Shops Present Santa's Wonderland. Photo courtesy of the event.
27 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Houston for Kids
Dickens on the Strand in Galveston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
19 Best Things to Do in Houston December 2024 with Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Houston Families
Go Rio Riverboat at Hilton Palacio del Rio San Antonio during Christmas. Photo by Nan Palermo via Flickr 2.0
The Best Family Christmas Getaways in Texas
Christmas trains near Houston 2024. Photo courtesy of The Polar Express Train Ride at the Texas State Railroad
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near Houston
It's time to get your annual picture with Santa, and we know just where to go. Photo courtesy of the Houston Galleria
Pictures with Santa Claus in Houston: From Malls to Rodeos
Photo by Mommy Poppins
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Outdoor Activities Guide for Houston Kids
There are so many ways to see The Nutcracker in Houston this season. Photo courtesy of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in Houston
Holidays at Moody Gardens. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
19 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Houston for Kids
Beautiful neighborhood Christmas lights are all around Houston. Photo courtesy of the Franck's Christmas Light Show
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Houston
Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
Best Budget-Friendly (Cheap) Birthday Party Places for Houston Kids
See animals up close at some of these farms near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
Best Farms in Houston with Family Entertainment
Pleasure Pier in Galveston is a top attraction near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
Best Attractions and Things To Do in Houston that are Kid-friendly
Stop at Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo for some cool photos on your roadtrip to the Texas Panhandle.
Best Texas Road Trips for Families
Baywatch Dolphin Tours are a fun, kid-friendly tour near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
Best Kid-Friendly Tours in Houston
Make dining out with kids more fun at one of Houston's themed restaurants. Photo courtesy of Rock N Roll Sushi
Themed Restaurants in Houston for a Fun Night Out With Kids
City Park Skate Park near Houston. Photo courtesy of the Sugarland Texas Govt.
Kid-Friendly Skate Parks in Houston
Urban Air has quite a few trampoline parks near Houston. Photo courtesy of Urban Air Adventure Park
Fun Trampoline Parks Near Houston for Kids to Jump in the AC
Batting cage photo courtesy of the Bellaire Bats
Indoor Batting Cages Near Houston Where Kids Can Practice Their Swings
Houston's Walking Stick Brewing Company has plenty of outdoor space. Photo courtesy of the Walking Stick Brewing Company
Family-Friendly Houston Breweries Where Kids Can Play, Too
Plan a magical quinceañera with these dress shops and venues. Photo courtesy of Canva
Quinceañeras in Houston: The Best Dress Shops and Venues for Your Teen Birthday
Photo courtesy of Big Air in North Houston
17 Coolest Indoor Activities for Houston Teens
In winter, visit Luminations at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Photo by Ann Alva Weiding Photography, at bigredmuse.com.
Austin with Kids: 35 Best Things To Do in Austin, Texas
New to fishing? Try a Galveston fishing boat tour.
Best Kid-Friendly Tours in Galveston For Your Family Trip
The outdoor pool at the Moody Gardens Hotel, photo courtesy of Visit Galveston.
Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Galveston, TX
One of our favorite petting zoos near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
The Best Petting Zoos Near Houston
Make it an unforgettable family getaway from Houston by hiking Enchanted Rock. Photo courtesy Passport to Texas.
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Houston Day Trips and Family Getaways Guide
Photo courtesy of Schlitterbahn Waterparks
20 Top Things To Do in Galveston with Kids
Photo by author Rebecca Matheson Ortiz for Mommy Poppins.
Tips and Secrets to the Houston Zoo with Kids
Little girl playing at an indoor play space in Houston. Photo courtesy of Frogs, Snails and Fairy Tales
Top Indoor Playgrounds & Play Spaces in Houston
Houston has many kid-friendly museums, and not all are children's museums. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston
Best Museums in Houston for Kids and Families
John P. McGovern's state-of-the art playground is perfect for both younger and older children. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green.
20 Things To Do in Downtown Houston With Kids
Ice at the Galleria provides year-round ice skating in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Galleria
Best Indoor and Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Houston for Kids and Families
MKT has great family-friendly restaurants! Photo courtesy of @mendocinofarms and MKT
Best Things to Do in The Houston Heights with Kids
Fishing in Lake Somerville. Photo courtesy of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
10 State Parks Near Houston With Lakes, Beaches, and Hiking
There's no shortage of fun baby activities in Houston.
Best Things To Do with Babies in Houston Before They Turn 1
Your little learner will love the variety of toddler classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Fun Preschool and Toddler Classes in Houston for Little Learners
Houston's bucket list for kid activities
100 Things To Do In Houston Before Kids Grow Up
Treat your kid to one of these Houston spas with services for children. Photo courtesy of Float Baby
Kid-Friendly Salons and Spas Near Houston
Climb with your kids at one of these indoor rock climbing gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Texas Rock Gym
Best Indoor Rock Climbing Gyms in Houston for Kids
Bowling is a fun indoor activity to add to your list this summer. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
Kid-Friendly Bowling Alleys in Houston
Fishing at Sea Center in Freeport, TX. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Freeport with Kids: Best Things To Do in Freeport, Texas
Photo courtesy of Osprey Cruises
30 Things To Do Near South Padre Island, TX with Kids
Round up the girls and head out for a kid-free night in Houston. Photo courtesy of Thirsty Bee Meadery
Mom's Night Out in Houston: 5 Fun Itineraries for a Kid-Free Evening
Kids love the carousel on Kemah's boardwalk.
Top Things to Do at Kemah Boardwalk with Kids
San Antonio has a lot of budget-friendly things to do with kids. Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Botanical Garden
Fun Budget Weekend Getaways for Houston Families
Birdwatching at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, photo courtesy of Houston Audubon
Best Things to Do in Memorial, West Houston with Kids
Photo courtesy of Cypress Academy
Ninja Warrior Gyms, Obstacle Courses, and Parkour in Houston for Kids
Hero Headquarters is a birthday party entertainment company in Houston. Photo courtesy of Hero Headquarters
15 Fun Houston Birthday Party Entertainers Who Will Come to Your House
Check out one of these breakfasts in Houston for a casual meal when the kids get up early. Photo courtesy of Snooze
Best Breakfasts in Houston for Kids and Families
Free activities like feeding the ducks at Mary Jo Peckham Park are simple and still great fun for kids. Photo courtesy of Canva
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Photo courtesy of Threadfare Children's Boutique
Best Baby Stores in Houston, From Clothes to Gear to Resale
The Houston Zoo is a great stop for kids, and near other things to do in Houston, too. Photo by Jessica A., courtesy of the zoo
3 Days in Houston with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Families enjoying a night out. Photo courtesy of Paradigm Brewing in Tomball
25 Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Houston: Where Kids Can Play While Parents Eat
Montessori preschools focus on hands-on learning. Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Montessori School
13 Top-Notch Montessori Preschools in Houston
Levy Park in Houston has one of our favorite playgrounds. Photo courtesy of OJB Landscape Architecture
Best Playgrounds in Houston: Destination Playgrounds Worth the Drive
Playgrounds Without Limits photo courtesy of Memorial Park, Facebook
Accessible Playgrounds in Houston: 14 Places Where All Kids Can Play
Take a look at one of these popular toddler dance classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Ballet preschool program.
Toddler Dance Classes in Houston for your Tiny Dancer
Baby music classes are a great way to bond and learn. Photo courtesy of Musik Garden
Baby and Toddler Music Classes in Houston
Photo courtesy of Texas Health Resources
Pregnancy Classes and Parenting Classes in Houston
Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston
Exploring The Children's Museum Houston
Birthday party places near Houston include arcades, escape rooms, climbing gyms, and more. Photo courtesy of The Main Event
Teen Birthday Party Ideas in Houston: 10 Cool Party Places for Teens and Tweens
There are a variety of fishing lakes near Houston to fish with your kids. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Fishing Lakes Near Houston and More Kid-Friendly Places To Go Fishing
San Antonio is full of amusement parks, good food, and lots of other things to do with kids. Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Riverwalk
San Antonio with Kids: 26 Best Things To Do in San Antonio, Texas
Try fishing for the first time in Lake Livingston. Photo courtesy of Lake Livingston State Park, Facebook
Fun Things to Do in Lake Livingston State Park with Kids
Kids eat Free at Dickey's on Sundays with each adult purchase of $10 or more. Photo courtesy of Dickey's
13 Kid-Friendly Barbecue Restaurants in Houston
The St. Regis in Uptown is one of Houston's best family-friendly resorts.
Best Family-Friendly Spa Resorts And Hotels Near Houston
Photo courtesy of Lake Conroe KOA Campground, Facebook
Camping in Houston: Best Campgrounds in Texas for Families
Hiking at Garner State Park in the Texas Hill Country. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Texas Hill Country with Kids: Where to Go, Eat, and Stay
Fresh air is one of the best antidotes to a grumpy toddler or baby. Photo courtesy of Bigstock
Top 10 Stroller Hikes in Houston and the Suburbs
Come for the queso, stay for the ice cream at these Tex-Mex restaurants in Houston.
Best Tex-Mex Restaurants in Houston with FREE Ice Cream
Explore the 21 miles of trails around the park, of varying lengths and difficulty to suit your family’s needs.
20 Things to Do in Huntsville State Park with Kids
Kids can learn about Robotics at the Houston Space Center. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Ortiz.
Top Attractions in Houston for Kids and Families: Museums, Theme Parks, & More
Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
Best Budget-Friendly (Cheap) Birthday Party Places for Houston Kids
Samuel Sykes, owner of Trill Taco, photo courtesy of Samuel Sykes
10 Black-Owned Restaurants Near Houston to Try with Kids
Calling all space lovers! NASA’s Space Center Houston, photo by Rebecca Matheson Ortiz
17 Fun Things to Do with Kids in Clear Lake and Webster
Toddlers can enjoy playing with the foam block structures at Exploration Park. Photo courtesy of Exploration Park
Best Houston Playgrounds and Parks for Toddlers
The Menil Collection is a free art museum in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Menil Collection
Free Museums and Free Museum Days for Kids in Houston
​Galveston's Schlitterbahn is an indoor waterpark near Houston. Photo courtesy of Schlitterbahn in Galveston Island
The Best Indoor Waterparks in Texas
Reaching for Butterflies at the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
Best Things to Do at the Houston Museum of Natural Science with Kids
Horseback riding is a favorite kid activity in Conroe
20 Things To Do in Conroe with Kids

Swimming Lessons for Kids in Houston: The Best Swimming Classes in Town

Photo courtesy of Wolfies Swim School
Photo courtesy of Wolfies Swim School
8/7/22 - By Rachael Cherry

The Bayou City is known for its scorching summer weather—and that summer lasts for basically 3/4 of the year—so our kids spend a lot of time in the water. Whether it's at the pool, a splash pad, water park, or the ocean, Houston kids need to learn how to swim and execute proper water safety.

There are plenty of places that offer year-round swim lessons or swimming classes that get kids comfortable and confident in the water; we've rounded up ten of the most popular swim schools in the Houston area. And once your kids are swimming safely, be sure to check out our comprehensive camp guide and full directory of camp listings to set up a great summer!

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Photo courtesy of the Houston Swim Club, Pearland
Photo courtesy of the Houston Swim Club, Pearland

Year-Round Swim Schools in the Houston Area

Aqua-Tots Swim Schools

Multiple Houston Locations
Parents can begin enrolling their children in Aqua-Tots swim lessons as early as 4 months of age. Classes focus on driving home the importance of swim safety, and levels of swim instruction start with "Parent & Tot" and proceed up to "Advanced." Each level works on mastering a new skill, such as comfort or independence in the water. Aqua-Tots also offers a recreational Swim Club, competitive Swim Team, and various Specialty Classes. Lessons are 30 minutes long and pricing varies by location.  READ MORE

SafeSplash Swim School

Multiple Houston Locations
The lessons at SafeSplash consist of 12 different levels with each level building on the fundamentals learned in the previous level. Courses start with a 'Parent and Tot' class and progress from there all the way up to a Level 8 Advanced Swimmer. Classes are 30 minutes long, once per week. Tuition is billed monthly. There are also Swim Camps and Swim Team Conditioning courses offered on a seasonal basis, as well as a Special Needs Program. The swim camps are 1-2 weeks and students are grouped by level. READ MORE

Houston Swim Club

Multiple Houston Locations
With Houston Swim Club's curriculum developed by University of Houston head coach and US Olympic coach Phill Hansel, parents can trust that the methods employed are both safe and effective. Other perks include small class sizes, 30-minute lessons and the option to enroll year-round. New students are required to enroll in a two-week session. After completing this course, kids can then enroll in monthly lessons that meet once, twice, or more times per week. Pricing is per class. Parents interested in enrolling children under 2 1/2 years old can sign up for special parent-child classes. READ MORE

YMCA Houston

Multiple Houston Locations
The YMCA offers everything from general gym memberships to fitness classes, swim lessons that include both mom and me classes for 6 months and older and individual and group lessons for ages 3+, sports camps, and more. Options are available for all ages, abilities, and interests. The mission of the YMCA is to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.  READ MORE

Goldfish Swim School - Houston

Multiple Houston Locations
Goldfish Swim School offers year-round classes for children ages 4 months and older and caters to all experience levels. The goal is not just to teach children how to swim, but to teach them how to survive in the water. Parents can choose to enroll kids in parent-child swim lessons, lessons by age, Goldfish swim team (ages 5-12 years), or Jump-Start Clinics that introduce the fundamentals of water safety and get kids water-ready in a short amount of time.  READ MORE

Emler Swim School

Multiple Houston Locations
Children as young as two months of age can enroll in parent and tot swim lessons at Emler Swim School. From there, classes progress by age and level, teaching water comfort, water safety, foundational skills, and the different swim strokes. Classes are kept small to ensure each child gets individual attention. Pricing and class schedules vary by location.  READ MORE

Pengu Swim School

Multiple Houston Locations
At Pengu Swim School students can enroll in Swimming Lessons for Babies, Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced Swim Classes to help them learn and refine their swimming skills. There are also swimming clinics and private lessons offered, as well as Swim Academy, a year-round swimming program. READ MORE

Saint Street Swim

River Oaks
Classes are organized by age group and experience level at Saint Street Swim, making it easy to find lessons appropriate for your child. Parents are able to enroll children as young as a 6 months old in mom and me classes, and starting at age 6 kids can begin swim team prep courses. There is a maximum of four students per class, and each instructor works to meet the needs of the individual child. When enrolling, you can choose to attend either once or twice per week, and classes are offered year-round. Lessons are charged by the class.  READ MORE

Gigglin' Marlin Dive & Swim

Midtown
Starting at 6 months old, children can begin swim lessons at Gigglin' Marlin Swim School, getting comfortable being in the water with a parent or caregiver as they learn the basics of swimming and water safety. Kids progress through different levels determined by age and ability. Snorkeling lessons start at age 3 and cover how to put on and take off snorkeling equipment, getting in and out of the water safely, checking for buoyancy, surface swimming, clearing water from the snorkel, and doing surface dives. Scuba programs for kids ages 8 and older cover the ins and outs of scuba diving. READ MORE

Wolfies Swim School

Bellaire & Spring Branch
At Wolfies, children from ages four months and older can enroll in mom and me classes, weekly and everyday swim lessons, swim camps, specialty clinics, and even home lessons. Most lessons are 30 minutes long. New swimmers must commit to two months of sessions. There are also seasonal swim camps offered that also include arts, crafts, science experiments, and more. Camps are offered during Spring Break, Summer Break, Thanksgiving Break, and Holiday Break. Children must be at least 4 years old to attend. READ MORE

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