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The largest piece of the exhibit, this dinosaur was made of over 80,000 bricks!
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Swimming Lessons for Kids in Philly: The Best Swimming Classes in Town

Goldfish Swim School has swim classes for kids up to age 12. Photo courtesy of the school
Goldfish Swim School has swim classes for kids up to age 12. Photo courtesy of the school
8/14/22 - By Alyce Wilson

Swimming classes can be a great way to keep kids active, as well as teach them important skills. Of course, in warmer weather, swimming lessons also provide a much-needed opportunity to cool down! If you're looking to enroll your child in swimming classes to get them water safe as soon as possible, check out this list of the very best swimming lessons in the Philadelphia area.

If you're looking specifically for baby and toddler swimming lessons, we rounded up the best places that teach babies as young as a few weeks old! And you can find more great classes for kids, and even book a class online, in our directory of classes and listings. Check our Philadelphia Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests.

 

 

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Learn how to dive at Kids on 12th. Photo courtesy of Kids on 12th
Learn how to dive at Kids on 12th. Photo courtesy of Kids on 12th

Best Swimming Lessons for Kids in Philadelphia

Kids on 12th: Philadelphia Kids Club

A fitness & activity center for kids located in the heart of Center City, Kids on 12th offers summer camp opportunities for kids 3-11, as well as swimming lessons at the outdoor pool during swim season. There are also Saturday classes at the Friends Select School. READ MORE

Markward Playground

Free public swim lessons at Markward Playground are offered Monday, Saturday, and Sunday at the O'Connor Pool. READ MORE

Fitness Alive

Center City and South Philly
In addition to fitness classes for both adults and children, kids can gain confidence and grow in their swimming abilities through either private or small-group swim classes. READ MORE

SwimAmerica at Penn Charter

SwimAmerica offers swimming lessons for ages 2 to adult, using a step-by-step format that allows students to progress at their own rate. Classes are kept small for a good teacher-to-student ratio. Sessions last eight weeks.  READ MORE

The Salvation Army Kroc Center of Philadelphia

Swimming classes at the Kroc Center start at age 6 months and go through adult. Youth lessons are for 30 minutes, and group lessons are for four to six students for a good teacher-to-student ratio. READ MORE

Greater Philadelphia YMCA

Multiple locations
With multiple locations in the Greater Philadelphia area, the YMCA offers a variety of swimming classes (preschoolers through adults) and summer day camps for ages 4 through 15. Camp range from traditional day camps with a variety of activities to specialty camps in gymnastics, sports, dance or others, depending on the location. READ MORE
Water safety skills and confidence are instilled at Aqua-Tots Swim Schools. Photo courtesy of the school
Water safety skills and confidence are instilled at Aqua-Tots Swim Schools. Photo courtesy of the school

Best Swimming Lessons for Kids in the Philly Suburbs

Kids First Swim Schools

Multiple locations
Using the Kids First/Kick First method, the Kids First swimming lessons focus on strengthening the muscles needed for swimming, starting with proper kicking form. The Kids First Swim Schools are the largest provider of year-round water swimming instruction. Check the website for a location nearby. READ MORE

Goldfish Swim School - Pennsylvania & New Jersey

Multiple locations
Goldfish Swim School is one of the top learn-to-swim facilities for kids ages 4 months to 12 years. Classes use the school's holistic philosophy, The Science of SwimPlay®, to build life skills both in and out of the water using play-based learning in a fun and safe environment.  READ MORE

Aqua-Tots Swim School of Horsham

Horsham, PA
Aqua-Tots Swim School is an industry leader in swimming instruction because of its world-class curriculum, highly trained swim instructors, family-friendly environment, and state-of-the-art year-round facilities. The school's motto, "Safety First, Fun Every Second," embodies its guiding philosophy that learning to swim is an essential life skill—one that can save a life and be enjoyed over a lifetime. READ MORE

Greater Plymouth Community Center

Plymouth Meeting, PA
A great spot for year-round swim lessons, the Community Center offers baby-and-me classes beginning at 6 months and serves children with lessons as they grow into their skills as a swimmer. READ MORE

Hatfield Aquatic Center

Hatfield, PA
With a program that is developmental in nature, swim lessons are less age-based and more centered on the building blocks, from the fundamentals to advanced. Swimming classes include swim and dive instruction, aquatic exercise, stroke refinement, and survival swimming for children.  READ MORE

Menlo Aquatics Center

Perkasie, PA
Locally known as the MAC, with three pools available you can have fun on the lazy river while your child learns the fundamentals of swim from certified instructors. MAC offers lessons that range from parent and child up to advanced swim techniques. READ MORE

West Chester YMCA (A Branch of the Greater Brandywine YMCA)

West Chester, PA
Swimming lessons are offered for preschool through adult, with lower rates for members. The West Chester YMCA also offers summer camp options for kiddos aged 3 through 12. Younger ones can participate in Montessori camp or Camp Discovery full or half-day programs.      READ MORE

Upper Main Line YMCA (A Branch of the Greater Brandywine YMCA)

Berwyn, PA
The YMCA offers swimming classes for babies with grown-ups through advanced swimming, with lower rates for members. Promoting healthy living, the Y not only has fitness opportunities but also summer camp options that keep kids engaged. Camp Woodsy is specially designed for campers ages 3-6 while traditional day camps and teen camps are available for older participants. READ MORE

West Chester University Swim Lessons

West Chester, PA
West Chester University's award-winning swimming classes run Monday through Friday for two weeks, starting with children as young as 4. Space is limited, as classes are small. Register online for all classes. READ MORE

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