Bring your family and friends to the biggest beach party in Orlando at the iHeartRadio Summer Splash at Aquatica. Photo by the author
28 Best Things to Do in Orlando May 2025 with Kids
Take to the skies and soar with dragons as you explore the Isle of Berk. Photo courtesy NBC Universal
Universal's Epic Universe: Epic Fun at Orlando's Newest Theme Park
A kids Gym Gymnastic Academy Summer Camp
GUIDE
Orlando Summer Camp Guide
Spend a few hours exploring Orlando with Winter Park Scenic Boat Tours. Photo courtesy of the company
3 Days in Orlando with Kids (Minus the Theme Parks): Itinerary From a Local Mom
Embark on a heartwarming, up-close encounter with playful dolphins at Discovery Cove. Photo courtesy of Discovery Cove
14 Best Hidden Gems in Orlando: Exploring Past the Big Theme Parks
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in Orlando with Kids Guide
Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland makes the the perfect outdoor day trip.
100 Free Things to Do in Orlando with Kids
The playground at Tucker Ranch Preserve sports a treehouse-feel, surrounded by nature.
22 Best Playgrounds in Orlando for Family Fun
Visit Gatorland and get up close and personal with Orlando's toothiest residents. Photo courtesy of Gatorland
Bite into Orlando Fun by Visiting Gatorland with Kids
Visit Gatorland's play area during a visit to this beloved Florida roadside attraction. Photo Charlotte B
Quirky, Cool Roadside Attractions Near Orlando for Kids
Enjoy a refreshing stroll with the kids along the scenic boardwalk at Sweetwater Park.
Best Boardwalk Trails in Orlando and Central Florida for Families
Visitors can actually ride the exhibits at the Florida Railroad Museum, which hosts a variety of experiences throughout the year. Photo courtesy of the museum
11 Scenic Train Rides Through Florida for Families
Sleepover with the dinosaurs at the Orlando Science Center. Photo by Charlotte B
Spend the Night at the Museum: 9 Museums and Zoos that Host Sleepovers in Orlando
Tour the Florida Everglades aboard the coolest mode of transportation--airboat! Kids will LOVE getting close to nature on a Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures tour. Photo courtesy Visit Orlando
18 Cool Ways to Tour Orlando with Kids
Gideon's Handmade Cookies, at East End Market, are MASSIVE, like this drool-worthy pistachio toffee chocolate chip cookie. Photo courtesy Gideon's & East End Market
Best Food Halls in Orlando for Kids and Families
Stay cool and dry this summer while battling dinosaurs at an Orlando arcade! Photo by author
Best Arcades in Orlando for Kids & Teens
Toddlers and young kids can let loose with their prehistoric friends at Dinosaur World's cute playground. Photo by Charlotte Blanton
30 Fun Things to Do with Orlando Toddlers and Preschoolers in Summer
The Festival of the Lion King is an entertaining (and dry) place to wait out a rainy afternoon at Disney World. Photo by Ryan Wendler/Disney World
10 Ways to Survive Orlando Theme Parks When It Rains
Obstacle courses are part of the water play at Island H2O Water Park.
Best Outdoor Water Parks in Orlando for Family Fun
Teens and tweens love the wet and wild fun at Walt Disney World's Typhoon Lagoon. Photo by author
Best Things to Do at Walt Disney World with Teens and Tweens
Enjoy the self-guided trail where you can
Secrets of Discovering Moana's Journey of Water, Now Open at EPCOT!
Swim at the freshwater Juniper Springs in Silver Springs, Florida. US Forest Service photo by Susan Blake
Top 10 Natural Springs in Florida Near Orlando
Lion Country Safari near West Palm Beach is home to more than 900 animals, including giraffes, lions, and zebras. Photo courtesy of the park
10 Drive-Thru Safaris and Wildlife Drives near Orlando
Swim and paddle with adorable manatees during your stay at the aptly-named Manatee Cove Apartment. Photo courtesy of VRBO
17 Best Family-Friendly Hotels and Camping near Florida's Natural Springs
Spend a relaxing day tubing the pristine waters of Ichetucknee Springs State Park. Photo by Jackie Jones
Secrets to Ichetucknee Springs State Park with Kids
Celebrate your child's birthday party at Gatorland. Photo courtesy of Gatorland
21 Top Orlando Birthday Party Venues for Kids to Celebrate
Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland makes the the perfect outdoor day trip.
100 Free Things to Do in Orlando with Kids
The secluded St. Augustine Beach is a perfect respite from daily life. Photo Photo by Mancy Carter
St. Augustine with Kids: 30 Best Things To Do in St. Augustine, Florida
Create magical moments at Hollywood Studios, including those with Florida's only snowman, Olaf!
Secret Tips for Visiting Walt Disney World With Babies and Toddlers
SeaWorld Orlando theme park, zoo and aquarium offers exciting rides and roller coasters, up-close animal encounters. Photo by the author
100 Best Things To Do in Orlando with Kids Before They Grow Up (Other than Theme Parks)
The Yardery is a fun Orlando restaurant for both kids and adults...and even dogs!
Best Orlando Restaurants with Play Spaces for Kids
Splash around in the water feature at Bok Tower's Hammock Hollow Children's Garden. Photo courtesy of Bok Tower Gardens
25 Secret Orlando Spots Kids Will Love
Get close and personal with the friendly dolphins of Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Photo courtesy of aquarium
Best Zoos, Aquariums, and Animal Encounters in Orlando and Central Florida
Check out our list of the best Orlando parks to host birthday parties!
Top Orlando Parks for Kids' Birthday Parties
Spend a few hours exploring Orlando with Winter Park Scenic Boat Tours. Photo courtesy of the company
3 Days in Orlando with Kids (Minus the Theme Parks): Itinerary From a Local Mom
Adventures await you and your little piggies at Rebecca Rabbit's Playground at Peppa Pig Theme Park. Photo courtesy of Legoland
30 Things To Do with Orlando Babies Before They Turn One

Swimming Classes in Orlando: Swimming Lessons for Babies, Toddlers, and Kids

Swim lessons for babies at places like Southwest Aquatics are crucial for life-saving skills. Photo courtesy of the school
Swim lessons for babies at places like Southwest Aquatics are crucial for life-saving skills. Photo courtesy of the school
8/7/22 - By Maureen Wilkey

Water is everywhere in Central Florida, from lakes to backyard pools to theme parks, so it's important that Orlando kids learn to be safe in the water early with swimming lessons. Swimming classes in Orlando can be fun, too! Many parents opt for private swimming lessons in their own pool or a community pool, but there's also many effective and fun swim schools near Orlando for children as young as six months old. Focus on safety first, then find out if your little swimmers are up for fun or competition with these local Orlando swimming lessons.

Once your kids have learned to swim, graduate from splash pads to pools and beaches. Swimming lessons also make parents feel more confident taking their kids to water parks and hotels. Just remind children to use the skills they've learned in swimming lessons, in case they get separated in the water.

Here are our favorite Orlando swim schools for babies, toddlers, and kids!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Top Swimming Lessons for Babies and Toddlers

Southwest Aquatics

Winter Garden
Southwest Aquatics has year-round swim lessons for swimmers of all ages and abilities at its Winter Garden facility. The enclosed, heated 30' by 50' pool accomodates even the youngest swimmers in PediSwim1 Classes, while a 10-lane lap pool allows older swimmers to perfect their stroke and swim laps. Southwest Aquatics helps build confidence and discover the joy of swimming.  READ MORE

Safety First PediAquatics

St. Cloud
Safety First PediAquatics focuses on babies and toddlers learning how to be safe in the water in a series of short, 10-minute classes in a one-on-one environment. The swim lessons are conducted on consecutive days in an indoor, heated pool with toys and tools to help kids have fun and learn how to swim.  READ MORE

Little Nemo's Swim School

Orlando
At Little Nemo's Swim School, young aquatic enthusiasts learn to swim in a shallow, indoor pool starting at age 6 months. The school teaches the American Red Cross swim method, focused on progression of skills with an emphasis on safety. Lessons for the smallest swimmers can be as short as 15 minutes. READ MORE

Swim Life

Sanford
Kids can practice swimming skills one-on-one with a Swim Life instructor at the Sanford Aquatic Center or in the pool location of their choice. The four-day-a-week program has short lessons in quick succession, and parents learn in the water with their child. Lessons instill confidence and encourage kids to have fun. READ MORE
Learning proper form during YMCA of Central Florida's swim lessons. Photo courtesy of the YMCA
Learning proper form during YMCA of Central Florida's swim lessons. Photo courtesy of the YMCA

Best Swimming Lessons for Kids of All Ages

British Swim School

Metro West, Hunters Creek, and Lake Nona
British Swim School teaches survival swim skills to children as young as three months old. Infants, children, and grown-ups will learn the skills needed to survive a water accident before moving on to stroke development. The school has three Orlando locations. READ MORE

Sharks & Minnows Swim School

Multiple locations
Established in Orlando in 1990, Sharks & Minnows has 30 locations throughout Florida that teach kids as young as toddlers to swim. Little swimmers start out with games and songs while they get comfortable in the water and progress through new skills incrementally, moving at each swimmer's own pace.  READ MORE

YMCA of Central Florida Swim Lessons

Multiple locations
YMCA of Central Florida offers swimming lessons for babies as young as six months through adults. Lessons focus on water safety and skill development, starting with parent-tot classes. Once young swimmers progress through various levels, they can hone their strokes or move on to classes that feature water games and sports, endurance, or aquatic conditioning.  READ MORE

Patriot Aquatics

Altamonte Springs
Patriot Aquatics offers 10-15 minute private lessons for kids ages 18 months and up, or longer group lessons for kids four and up. Each session lasts two weeks, and kids swim Monday-Thursday of each week with Friday reserved for make-up lessons. Little swimmers progress through 10 stations to learn water safety and strokes.  READ MORE

Celebration Little Fins Swimming

Celebration
Celebration Little Fins helps kids learn how to swim on their own in just 4-5 weeks. By taking lessons at the Celebration pool, or scheduling instructors to come to your home for a private lesson, kids can learn to float, swim, and breathe so they'll be safe and happy in the water. READ MORE

Rosen Aquatics & Fitness Center Swim Lessons

Doctor Phillips
Kids as young as six months can partipcate in mommy & me, group, private, or semi-private swim lessons at this Orlando fitness club. Little swimmers will learn body positions, floating, blowing bubbles, fundamental safety skills, swim-float-swim methods, distance swimming, and more. READ MORE

Stone Crabs Swim Team

Winter Park and Orlando
Kids can learn to swim in mommy & me, group, or private lessons from instructors from the Stone Crabs Swim Team. Classes focus on safety and have a high success rate. Parents can sign up for classes at Winter Park Hgh School, Lake Howell High School, or Stonybrook East. Private lessons can be 15 or 30 minutes. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: