Learning to swim is a skill that most parents want their children to learn so that they can safely enjoy trips to the pool, lake, or beach. Whether you are looking for summer swimming lessons or indoor lessons available year round, this guide covers the best places to get swimming lessons in Kansas City.
Things to Consider When Choosing Swimming Lessons
The Right Age
Opinions on this will vary. Some kids take to swimming when they are very young. Some take years to learn to swim, and it doesn’t click until they are in upper elementary school. Even if you don’t put your young child in formal lessons, exposing them to the water and letting them enjoy it is a great way to set a good foundation for future lessons. The right age is going to vary from child to child, so don’t get too worked up about when to start swimming lessons. Figure out what works best for your child and your family.
The Cost
Private swim schools will often be more expensive than the lessons offered at community pools and have an annual enrollment fee. The student to teacher ratio will also likely be lower at a swim school vs. community lessons. Gyms/YMCAs/Community Centers often offer their swim lessons to the whole community but also offer a discount for members. City residents also usually pay a lower rate for lessons at their city pool. Many swim schools offer a free trial lesson, so inquire about that option if you aren’t sure if your child is ready for swimming lessons just yet.
The Format
Just like the right age to start swim lessons may vary, the right format of those lessons will vary too.
Once or twice a week
Most year-round swim schools encourage twice a week lessons to help build their skills and maintain them.
Intensive lessons
These are structured so they go 4-5 days a week for a couple of weeks to jump start their swimming skills.
Infant Swimming Resource (ISR)
ISR lessons are for children aged 6 months to 6 years and the main focus of these lessons is on self-rescue skills. Location and seasonal availability of these lessons varies so check the database here for a list of local ISR instructors.
Parent and Child Lessons
For young children aged 6 months to 3 years there are classes specifically for the parent to be in the water with their child to help them get comfortable with the water, play games, and work on skills like putting their face in the water. They are more about comfort and fun than teaching them to swim independently.
Private Lessons
Most of the places I’ve listed offer private lessons for an extra cost. These are a great choice if you want your child to have more instructional time than they would in a group class, or if they focus better without other kids to distract them.
Semi-Private Lessons
These are great for siblings that are at the same swimming level or if you have a friend that you want to split the cost with.
Lessons at Your Neighborhood Pool
As neighborhood pools have become more commonplace, many parents like to hire a swim instructor to come to them in the summer months. I’ve listed a couple of businesses in the area that offer this service but I also advise asking for recommendations on NextDoor or in your neighborhood Facebook group. Sometimes college kids that were on the swim team in high school will offer lessons when they are home over summer break.
YMCA of Greater Kansas City
Kansas Swimming Lessons
Indoor Lessons
Community Centers
Kansas City, Kansas: Turner Aquatic Center
2211 S 55th St, Kansas City, KS 66106
913-288-3339 | Website
Leawood: Blue Valley Recreation Activity Center
6545 W 151st St, Overland Park, KS 66223
913-685-6000 | Website
Lenexa Rec Center
17201 W 87th St Pkwy, Lenexa, KS 66219
913-477-7529 | Website
Lenexa: Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center
17251 W 87th St, Lenexa, KS 66219
913-993-8400 | Website
Merriam Community Center
6040 Slater St, Merriam, KS 66202
913-322-5550 | Website
Olathe Community Center
1205 E Kansas City Rd, Olathe, KS 66061
913-971-8563 | Website
Overland Park: Matt Ross Community Center
8101 Marty St, Overland Park, KS 66204
913-895-6350 | Website
Swim Schools
Aqua-Tots: Olathe and Prairie Village Locations
11943 S Strang Line Rd., Olathe, KS 66062
913-320-1594 | Website
5364 W 95th St, Prairie Village, KS 66207
(913) 274-1823 | Website
Elite Gymnastics & Aquatics
13600 W 108th St., Lenexa, KS 66215
913-469-5554 | Website
Emler Swim School: Leawood and Westwood Locations
3612 W 135th St., Leawood, KS 66224
913-451-7946 | Website
2848 W 47th Ave., Kansas City, KS 66103
816-656-8600 | Website
Goldfish Swim School, Overland Park and Lenexa Locations
7541 W 119th St., Overland Park, KS 66213
913-586-0019 | Website
8566 Maurer Rd., Lenexa, KS 66219
913-380-0984 | Website
Jewish Community Center (The J KC)
5801 W 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66211
913-327-8000 | Website
Midwest Aquatics
7565 160th St., Overland Park, KS 66085
913-402-0403 | Website
Sunsational Swim School
Private/Semi Private Lessons- You will get matched with an instructor that comes to you at your home, neighborhood, or community pool.
888-788-2140 | Website
YMCA Locations
Bonner Springs Family YMCA
2251 S 138th St., Bonner Springs, KS 66012
913-422-9348 | Website
Olathe Family YMCA
21400 W 153rd St., Olathe, KS 66061
913-393-9622 | Website
Paul Henson Family YMCA in Prairie Village
4200 W 79th St., Prairie Village, KS 66208
913-642-6800 | Website
Providence YMCA/Ball Family Center in Kansas City, KS
8601 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66112
913-378-9622 | Website
Outdoor Swimming Lessons
City Pools
Fairway City Pool | Website
Gardner Aquatic Center | Website
Lenexa at Ad Astra Pool and Sar-Ko-Par Aquatic Center | Website
Leawood Aquatic Center | Website
Merriam Aquatic Center | Website
Olathe at Black Bob Bay and Mill Creek Pool | Website
Overland Park at Tomahawk Ridge Aquatic Center | Website
Prairie Village Pool | Website
Roeland Park Aquatic Center | Website
Spring Hill Aquatic Center | Website
Shawnee at the Thomas A. Soetaert Aquatic Center | Website
Swim Schools
Jewish Community Center (The J KC)
5801 W 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66211
913-327-8000 | Website
McCrackens Gymnastics and Swim School
15515 S Keeler St, Olathe, KS 66062
913-782-8555 | Website
Stacy’s Swim School in Olathe
Missouri Swimming Lessons
Indoor Lessons
Community Centers
Belton: High Blue Wellness Center
16400 N Mullen Rd., Belton, MO 64012
816-348-7400 | Website
Gladstone Community Center
6901 N Holmes St., Gladstone, MO 64118
816-423-4200 | Website
Grandview: The View Community Center
13500 Byars Rd., Grandview, MO 64030
816-316-4888 | Website
Independence: Riptide Swim School at Henley Aquatic Center
18200 MO-78, Independence, MO 64057
816-521-5377 | Website
Lee’s Summit: LSR7 Aquatic Center
3498 SW Windemere Dr., Lee’s Summit, MO 64082
816-986-1465| Website
Lee’s Summit: Longview Community Center
3801 SW Longview Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO 64081
816-969-1520 | Website
Lee’s Summit: Lovell Community Center
901 NE Bluestem Dr., Lee’s Summit, MO 64086
816-969-1550 | Website
Liberty Community Center
1600 S Withers Rd, Liberty, MO 64068
816-439-4360 | Website
Parkville: Park Hill Aquatic Center
8152 N. Congress Ave., Kansas City, MO 64153
816-359-4080 | Website
Raytown Schools Wellness Center
10301 E. 350 Highway, Raytown, MO 64138
816-268-7190 | Website
YMCA Locations
Cleaver Family YMCA
7000 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64131
816-285-9622 | Website
Kirk Family YMCA (Downtown KC)
222 W 11th St., Kansas City, MO 64105
816-842-9622 | Website
Linwood/James B. Nutter Sr Community Center
3800 E Linwood Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64128
816-923-5675 | Website
North Kansas City YMCA
1999 Iron St., North Kansas City, MO 64116
816-300-0531 | Website
Platte County Community Center North
3101 Running Horse Rd., Platte City, MO 64079
816-858-0114 | Website
Platte County Community Center South
Swim Schools
Emler Swim School (Opening Summer 2024)
8350 N. Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64118
855-232-2006 | Website
SafeSplash Swim School
8680 NW Prairie View Rd, Kansas City, MO 64153
(816) 282-2591 | Website
Outdoor Lessons
City Pools
Belton at the Memorial Park Water Park | Website
Gladstone Municipal Pool | Website
Independence at Adventure Oasis Water Park | Website
Lee’s Summit at Summit Waves | Website
Liberty Community Center | Website
Swim Schools
Dave’s Gymnastics Factory
11808 Milton Thompson Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64086
(816) 525-5650 | Website
Northland Swim School
9808 North Campbell Drive, Kansas City, Missouri 64155
(816) 352-1099 | Website
