The Bronx Zoo comes to life after dark during its annual Holiday Lights event. Photo by Terria Clay/courtesy of the Bronx Zoo
Holiday Lights, Christmas Carousel, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids
The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is a must-see holiday destination in NYC. Photo courtesy of the New York Botanical Gardens
Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in New York City for Kids
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation is an event unto itself. See the larger-than-life balloons come to life the night before the parade. Photo by Anthony Quintano/CC BY 2.0
See the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation with Kids
See the Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC with our insider's guide and tips!
GUIDE
Guide to Thanksgiving in NYC for Kids and Families
Classics, like Tom Turkey, and newbies alike take flight in the 99th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025: Where to Watch, What's New
Many organizations throughout New York City are offering free turkey giveaways, plus full, hot Thanksgiving dinners this season. Photo by John McCarten for the New York City Council
Where To Find Free Turkey in NYC for Thanksgiving Dinner 2025
Meet Santa aboard The Polar Express chugging along the Morristown and Erie lines. Photo courtesy of the Morristown and Erie Railway
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains near NYC in 2025
See your favorite characters come to life at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon inflation. Photo by Eugene Gologursky/courtesy of Macy's.
24 Best Things To Do in NYC with Kids November 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors
Enjoy a cozy, French-style Thanksgiving meal at Le Rivage. Photo by Evan Sung
25 Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving 2025 in NYC
Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has become an enchanting holiday tradition for many families. Photo courtesy of the garden
NYC's Coolest Christmas Events to Book Now Before They Sell Out in 2025
GUIDE
Holidays in NYC: Ultimate Guide to Christmas, Hanukkah, & Seasonal Fun
Volunteer to help feed families in New York this Thanksgiving.
Best 2025 Thanksgiving Volunteering Opportunities for Families in NYC
Canstruction is free and open to the public at Brookfield Place through Monday, November 10. Photo by Heidi Lee
34 Free and Fun Things To Do in NYC November 2025 with Kids
Kids as young as 14 can apply for an eco-focused internship at Alley Pond Park in Queens. Photo courtesy of the Alley Pond Environmental Center
Best Museum Programs in NYC for Teens
The 2025-2026 public school year for NYC kids starts on Thursday, September 4.
Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2025-2026
Get ready for back to school with all the right supplies, classes, and tips.
GUIDE
Back-to-School Guide 2025-2026
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
Ultimate New York City Bucket List: 100 Things To Do in NYC with Kids Before They Grow Up
Stranger Things: The First Shadow plays at the Marquis Theatre and gives the popular Neflix show a prequel. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
Best Broadway Shows for Kids and Families in 2025
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
Ultimate New York Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NY State
Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day
Vinland Playground got a fresh upgrade in Bay Ridge. Photo by NYC Parks/Daniel Avila
Jaw-Dropping New Playgrounds in NYC to Explore with Kids Now
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids
Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
100 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
Brooklyn's Flying Apple offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
24 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
27 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids Guide
Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.
Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
Best Attractions and Things To Do near NYC that are Kid-Friendly
Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Best NYC Tours for Families: From Boat Rides to Free Walking Tours and More
The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH
Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
40 Best NYC Attractions to Do with Kids Right Now
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
GUIDE
NYC Kids Summer Guide: 728 Best Festivals, Deals, Activities & Free Things to Do
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Crafts for Kids Guide: Thousands of Craft Ideas

Top Swimming Lessons and Classes for Kids and Babies in Westchester

Swim Tank offers swim lessons at two Westchester locations. Photo courtesy of Swim Tank
Swim Tank offers swim lessons at two Westchester locations. Photo courtesy of Swim Tank
9/21/22 - By Susan Miele

Anytime is a good time to teach your child to swim with indoor swimming lessons available throughout Westchester. Whether you’ve got little ones looking to dip a toe in the water or big kids hoping to compete in swim meets or train as a lifeguard, professional swimming classes can establish safety and enhance skills for lifelong enjoyment of the pool and beach

Below, we've rounded up swimming lessons in Westchester, with options ranging from group swim classes and camps to private (or semi-private) swim classes. 

Ready to take the plunge? Read on and book early. We offer many more instructional resources in our Westchester Classes Guide and Kids Class Directory and encourage you to sign up for our newsletter to stay in the know!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Dive into swimming lessons and plenty more fun at the New Rochelle YMCA. Photo courtesy of the venue
Dive into swimming lessons and plenty more fun at the New Rochelle YMCA. Photo courtesy of the venue

Swim Schools and Swim Lessons in Westchester

Goldfish Swim School - Yorktown Heights

Yorktown Heights
Ages 4 months-12 years
Part of a chain of swim schools, the Yorktown Heights location of Goldfish has served Westchester families since 2018. Ages served range from infants through pre-teens, and an emphasis is placed on a play-based swim curriculum. READ MORE

Goldfish Swim School - New Rochelle

New Rochelle
Ages 4 months-12 years
The New Rochelle outpost of this swim school chain opened in the summer of 2021. The program targets children as young as 4 months through age 12. Goldfish's "shiver-free" pools are maintained at 90 degrees.  READ MORE

JCC of Mid-Westchester

Scarsdale
Ages 12 months-18 years
Both year-round classes and summer camp are offered at this multifaceted facility. Both include high-caliber offerings in swim instruction, gymnastics, and dance, among other things. Swim classes range from introductory lessons to competitive performance. Summer at the J Camp caters to ages 2-6 with swimming, gymnastics, baking, music, nature exploration, special theme days, and more.  READ MORE

SwimLabs Swim School Westchester

Elmsford
Ages 6 months-18 years
Group, private, and semi-private classes are available for novice swimmers and those looking to hone their technique, with target ages ranging from infant through adult. Competitive swimmers appreciate its video playback services. Programs for those with special needs are offered, as are camps. Free trial classes available. READ MORE

YWCA White Plains - Children's Programs

White Plains
Ages 5-18 years
The multifaceted YWCA offers a variety of programs for all ages, including children's fitness classes, gymnastics, camps, and aquatics. The latter includes both learn-to-swim instruction as well as lifeguard training.  READ MORE

Swim Tank

West Harrison and Mamaroneck
Ages 4 months-13 years
A badge quest helps keep children motivated to advance to the next level when learning to swim at Swim Tank. Children from age 4 months through 13 years may enroll in classes. There are two Westchester locations. READ MORE

Empire Swim School

Tarrytown
Ages 15 years and up
This swimming school offers small-group swim lessons tailored to individual swimmers, including an introduction to water safety and a pre-competitive swim class.  READ MORE

Sunsational Swim

Flexible Locations
Ages 6 months-18 years
Prefer to have lessons at the pool of your choosing? This service dispatches swim instructors to backyard and other pools to allow for flexible scheduling and location choice. Instruction is available for babies starting at 6 months, with packages available for six, 12, or 18 lessons. Instructors must pass background checks and are certified in CPR and First Aid.  READ MORE

Rye YMCA

Rye
Ages 6 months-18 years
The various offerings in sports, arts, and more may justify a membership for your family, while access to year-round pool use sweetens the deal. Instruction is available in basic swimming technique, as well as more advanced skills like lifeguarding and CPR.  READ MORE

New Rochelle YMCA

New Rochelle
Ages 6 months-18 years
In addition to offering sports, camps, birthday parties, universal pre-K, and more, the New Rochelle YMCA boasts a robust aquatics program that serves all ages. The program offers instruction in basic swim and more advanced technique, and those meeting the competency requirements can join in the Y's competitive Sailfish Swim Team. A lifeguard training program is also available. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: