Enjoy silly, not-too-spooky fun at The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place. Photo courtesy of Sesame Place
Halloween Weekend 2024 in Philly: Trick-or-Treat and More Things To Do with Kids
Photo ops abound at the gorgeous light displays at LumiNature. Photo by Winnie Chung for the Philadelphia Zoo
Best of November: LumiNature, Thanksgiving Cruise, and More Fun Things to Do in Philly
Frolic through Pumpkin Playground at Longwood Gardens. Photo courtesy of the Gardens
Best Fall Festivals Near Philly: Harvest Fests and Fall Family Festivities around Philly
GUIDE
Philly Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Farms, Festivals, and Family Getaways 2024
Photo courtesy of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
Best Philly Tours for Kids: Art Hunts, Food Tours, Ghost Tours, and More
Kids under 18 are always free at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by Liz Baill
100 Free Fun Things To Do in Philly with Kids
Fishtown families flock to Penn Treaty Park for the waterfront views, special events, and open space. Photo by M. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia
Fishtown with Kids: 9 Things To Do in the Fishtown Neighborhood of Philly
School Calendars 2024-2025: Important Dates for Philadelphia School District
Grand Slam U.S.A. challenges you to a game of laser tag! Photo courtesy of the center
Best Laser Tag Zones and Paintball for Philly Kids
Build birthday memories brick by brick at LEGOLAND. Photo courtesy of LEGOLAND
31 Fun Indoor Birthday Party Places for Kids in Philly
Ricketts Glen State Park is a family-friendly destination with awesome activities for all ages. Photo of Ricketts Glen by the author
Amazing Budget Weekend Getaways for Philly Families
Put your skills to the test on the obstacle course at Urban Air. Photo courtesy of Urban Air
Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids in Philly: Go Karts, Axe Throwing, and More!
Visit the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP), located in the heart of Old City.
Visiting Historic Philadelphia: Top Things To Do in the Historic District with Kids
Take in 300 years of history on Elfreth's Alley. Photo courtesy of the museum
3 Days in Philadelphia with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
In addition to Pay-What-You-Wish First Sundays, kids 18 and under are always free at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of the museum
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in Philly
Ultimo Coffee serves up treats and pours hearts all day. Photo courtesy of the shop
13 Best Coffee Shops in Philly to Bring Your Kids When You Need Caffeine
Turn your eye of the tiger into the eye of an artist at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Visiting the Philadelphia Museum of Art with Kids: Creative Family Time at the Art Museum
GUIDE
Guide to Classes for Kids in Philadelphia
Learn all about fire safety and the history of firefighters in Philly at the Fireman's Hall Museum.Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
14 Free Things To Do Indoors in Philly: Indoor Places To Play On Cold and Rainy Days
Take a bikde ride through Doylestown. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
9 Walkable Neighborhoods near Philly for Family Outings
Six Flag Great Adventure brings big-time thrills and is one of our favorite amusement parks in New Jersey.
Great Theme Parks and Amusement Parks Near New Jersey
Both babies and dogs love stroller walks for some fresh air. Photo courtesy of Gina Massaro for Mommy Poppins
Great Stroller Walks and Stroller Hikes near Philly
Parents eat while kids climb and slide at Craft Hall.
13 Philly Restaurants Where Kids Can Play While Parents Eat
Pony rides always bring out smiles at Linvilla Orchards. Photo courtesy of the orchard
Animal Farms and Petting Zoos near Philadelphia that are Perfect for Preschoolers
Try a whiz-wit at Tony Luke's, a reliable Philly cheesesteak spot with multiple locations. Photo courtesy of J. Varney for GPTMC
11 Kid-Friendly Philly Cheesesteak Spots
Challenge the rope bridge and zip line at Elmwood Park Zoo. Photo courtesy of the zoo
100 Things To Do in Philly with Kids Before They Grow Up
Blue Cross RiverRink is open for Summerfest in the warmer months and Winterfest in the colder months. Photo courtesy of J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
Top Attractions in Philadelphia: Best Things to See and Do with Kids
Kids can zoom down the slide and, of course, launch scarves at Kith + Kin. Photo courtesy of Kith + Kin
38 Best Indoor Play Spaces and Indoor Playgrounds in Philadelphia
No one walks the plank, but everyone has fun with with Scallywag’s Pirate Adventures in Erie. Photo courtesy of Scallywag's Pirate Adventures.
10 PA Weekend Getaways for Families
Take a hike: Family getaways are a great opportunity to reconnect with nature.
GUIDE
Philly Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways
Spend a gorgeous fall day at Peddler's Village for the annual display of more than 100 handmade scarecrows, a weekend festival, and scarecrow-making workshops. Photo by Chris Burrow
Trunk or Treat, Día de los Muertos, Manayunk Trolley, and More Fun Things To Do in Philly this Weekend

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.

 

 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

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

Places featured in this article: