Swimming is not only a great way to get exercise, but an essential safety tool for kids. More families are signing up for swimming classes every year to make sure they’re safe when spending time near Lake Michigan or on their next family vacation.
Kids of all ages can participate in swimming classes, too. Get them prepared for next summer by signing up for one of these Chicagoland swim lessons today.
Big Blue Swim School
- Locations: 101 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove, 4297 N. Western Ave., Chicago, 2527 W. Golf Road, Hoffman Estates, 1265 S. Naper Blvd., Naperville, 7428 Waukegan Road, Niles and 3232 Lake Ave., Wilmette
- Cost: $29-$38/lesson (rates vary by location)
From the friendly, bright blue sign outside the building to the plush, antimicrobial carpet inside, Big Blue is clearly focused on all things kid. The children-only swim center offers classes for ages six months to seven years and up. Other perks include a waiting room with free WiFi along with individual changing rooms for each child. There are no registration or facility fees and they offer 15 free makeup lessons per swimmer per year.
Blue Gems Swim School
- Address: 7510 W. Irving Park Road, Norridge
- Cost: $28/30-min. lesson
This swim school offers weekly or bi-weekly swim lessons for infants, toddlers and children. Also, they have free make-up and trial assessment classes, too. Take the online quiz to find out which level your child should be in.
British Swim School
- Address: Various locations in Chicago and suburbs
- Cost: Varies by location
With its objective to teach children water safety survival skills, the British Swim School program can start for children as young as 3 months old in their tadpole level. Classes begin with help of the parent to get the child used to water. Once they graduate to a seahorse level, the swimmers can advance in water survival on their own and eventually learn some stroke skills along the way. They can also train pre-team swimmers who crave some competition.
Celts Swim School
- Address: Various locations in Chicago and suburbs
- Cost: Call for prices
This swim school starts as young as one-month-old in their Baby and Me class, which introduces newborns/infants to the water in a relaxed, warm water environment. They also offer kid’s classes and adaptive and special abilities courses for children with physical disabilities.
Chicago Blue Dolphins
- Address: 2222 N. Elston Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $117-$205/classes for 6 months-12 years; $37.50-plus/private swim lessons
Blue Dolphins offers classes for kids from infant to preteen, plus private lessons and lessons for adults. Have a reluctant swimmer in your family? Blue Dolphin’s “endless pools” (swimming in place rather than the length of a pool) are less intimidating for those who have previously been afraid to jump in the water. Even better, with special sound blocking walls, visually isolated pools and water temps set at a cozy 90 degrees, the studio is designed to offer instruction for kids on the autism and sensory spectrum as well.
Foss Swim School
- Locations: Various locations in Chicago and suburbs
- Cost: Call for prices
Foss’ Swim program ingrains water safety instincts and muscle memory that your child will use for the rest of their life. Schedule a free preview lesson to see where your little swimmer should be at. Offers quarterly swim lessons and swim camps. Lessons here begin as early as 6 months old.
Goldfish Swim School
- Locations: Various locations in Chicago and suburbs
- Cost: $110/month for group lessons, $148/month for independent baby lessons, $137.50/month for ages 5-12 years old swim force
Offering group lessons for children as young as four months old, Goldfish is focused on introducing swimming through guided play, which is also a big factor in cognitive development. Many of their classes are small and have a child to instructor ratio is 4:1, so you’ll feel good knowing your little ones will be given plenty of attention and supervision. Goldfish also offers family swim and birthday parties.
Lakeside Swim School
- Address: 1040 W. Granville Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $89-$139/kids group lessons, $100/60-min. kids private lesson
Offers private and group kid’s classes for all abilities. Kid’s group lessons are 45 minutes long and it’s a 3:1 student to instructor ratio.
Swim With Kathy
- Address: 225 N. Columbus Drive, Chicago
- Cost: $120/beginner and intermediate classes; contact for other prices
Located in Aqua at Lakeshore East Apartments. Swim With Kathy (SWK) offers beginning, intermediate, adult and mommy and me swim classes. They also put on swim clinics and private lessons.
YMCA of Metro Chicago
- Address: Various locations in Chicago and suburbs
- Cost: Varies by location
Maybe your child is comfortable with water, but not quite ready to dive head first into the deep end. Kid’s lessons are offered at several different age and skill levels, from six months to 13 years. They also offer teen swimming classes for ages 13-17.
This post is updated regularly.
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