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Best Swimming Lessons Around Seattle for Little Tots

Top picks for diving in with your tiny tot around Seattle and the Eastside

Kate Missine
 | 

Published on: January 21, 2025

Boy floating in the water on his back in a swimming lesson
Photo:
iStock

Swimming is an essential life skill that every child should learn, and while kids aren’t generally ready for independent swimming classes until about the age of 3 or 4 years, many parents choose to start much earlier.

Unfortunately, getting a spot in swimming lessons around Seattle can be like finding a gold coin under a unicorn hoof at the end of a double rainbow. This task takes dedication and may cause gray hairs. Best of luck to you, swim lesson warriors.

Here are our top picks for diving in with your tiny tot around Seattle and the Eastside.

City of Seattle pools, various locations

The city of Seattle operates 10 public pools and offers lessons to participants as young as 6 months at most locations. Classes fill up fast, so prepare to jump on registration and be flexible with schedules.

British Swim School, various locations

British Swim School offers swimming lessons for babies who are 3 months old through adults. They use gentle teaching methods and a survival-first approach to help everyone become a safer, stronger swimmer. Lessons are given at various gyms, see the website for more details and to register. 

McDonald Swim School, Shoreline

Whether you are a beginner or advanced swimmer, McDonald Swim School has lessons for you! Classes start for infants younger than 12 months in an environment that is fun for babies and parents. You can register for lessons online, and classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so sign up today! 

Kinder Swimmer, Renton and Spanaway 

Babies ages 3–14 months can start getting comfortable in the water in an Infant Swim class at Kinder Swimmer. This class focuses on familiarizing babies with the sensation of water on their faces and ears, as well as gently introducing them to going underwater. They also offer children’s classes for kids ages 14 months to 13 years with a max of four children per class. The water at their pools is a comfortable 92 degrees, keeping everyone warm and happy during their lessons. You can find more info and register online.   

Little boy in a swimming lesson
Swimming lessons build confidence in the water. Photo: iStock

Goldfish Swim School, various locations 

At Goldfish, parents participate with babes from ages 4 to 24 months; young swimmers who are older than that have their own group while parents watch from the air-conditioned viewing gallery. Lesson sign-ups run year-round.

Lynnwood Pool, Lynnwood

Located in the Lynnwood Recreation Center, this popular facility boasts three different pools, including an 85-degree recreation pool with water slides, a water playground and a lazy river. Lessons with mom or dad are available for little ones between the ages of 6 months and 3 years old.

Mountlake Terrace Pool, Mountlake Terrace

The shallow leisure pool at this awesome aquatics center hovers at a comfy 88 degrees and is equipped with spray toys, a lazy river and babe-friendly beach entry for before- and after-class play. Parent-tot lessons are open to kids as young as 9 months, with independent classes offered to students age 3 and older.

SwimGuru, North Seattle and Bellevue

SwimGuru instructors are serious about drowning prevention, and their focus is on teaching survival skills, with independent instruction beginning as soon as your baby can walk. Classes do tend to get booked up from two to three months in advance, so plan ahead.

Baby in a swimming lesson
Babies can learn to swim and enjoy the water! Photo: iStock

SafeSplash Swim School, various locations

SafeSplash’s small-group lessons offer two parent-tot and two toddler transition levels for students as young as 4 months old; registration is ongoing and billed on a monthly basis, with your spot held indefinitely once you sign up.

Water Babies, various locations

Water Babies’ philosophy is to empower parents with the skills to teach their child to swim, which means parents do most of the hands-on work in the water with their kids, who range in age from 4 months to 3 years and older, while instructors provide coaching on techniques.

SwimLabs Swim School, Issaquah

Private, semiprivate and group lessons of three or four students are offered at this nationwide franchise. Registration is on a rolling basis, but group lessons run in four-week increments and tend to fill up.

More ways to stay safe and have fun: 

Editor’s note: This article was published several years ago and was most recently updated in January 2025 by ParentMap’s associate editor, Kari Hanson, with new options for lessons. 

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