Most parents understand the dangers of water for younger kids. The sad fact is that drowning accounts for a large percentage of childhood fatalities, and it can happen in literal seconds. While there are a lot of things you can do to prevent an accident such as this, the very best way you can protect your child is by enrolling them in swimming lessons as early as possible. That way, they will know exactly what to do if the unthinkable happens. As a milestone photographer near Bloomington IL, I adore chatting with parents over their favorite local resources. If you have been considering booking swim lessons near Bloomington, IL, here are the spots I always recommend!
904 Four Season Rd, Bloomington, Illinois 61701
SHINE Swim Academy gives you regular swim lessons that will last 6-8 weeks in Bloomington, IL. They offer state-of-the-art facilities inside the Four Seasons. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a member to enjoy their swimming programs! You can just head over to their website and enroll your child in a session, no sweat! They also know how to create an atmosphere where your child will feel safe to explore. They keep their pools at a balmy 88 degrees, and they have family changing rooms to make it easy for before and after your class. Once your child gets a little more independent, you will be able to watch from the side in their provided family seating. They offer sessions for kids starting from the age of 4 years.
202 St. Joseph Dr., Bloomington, Illinois 61701
It’s probably no surprise that the Bloomington-Normal YMCA has some pretty amazing classes for kids. This is the best place to get your child started from the earliest months of life. They offer parent and child swim lessons for kids as young as 3 months. During this session, you can get in the water alongside your child and help them get a little more comfortable in the water. You can also stick by their side throughout the toddler stage to help make these lessons stick. Once your child gets a little older, they will have more independent classes where they will grow their skills. In addition to group classes, the Y offers private sessions and adaptive classes.

1515 W Chestnut St, Bloomington, Illinois 61701
The Bloomington Parks & Recreation Department offers regular swimming lessons over at the O’Neill Aquatics Center. Your child will be able to get started as young as 6 months old. In the very beginning, these lessons will focus on basic water comfort and safety. As they start to get older, they are going to build up the skills that will turn them into competent swimmers. The center is passionate about letting kids work at their own pace. They use a progressive class system that allows your child to move up whenever they feel ready. If your child really falls in love with the sport, they have a swim team for kids starting at the age of 5.
801 N. Main St, Normal, Illinois 61761
If you are over in the Normal area, the Parks & Rec department has just the thing! The town offers swimming lessons at both the Karraker Aquatic Center and the Anderson Aquatic Center. Just a heads up, both of these centers are outdoor-only with lessons that are exclusively offered during the warmer months. Once they open up the pools for the season, you will be able to choose from classes starting at the preschool stage. Kids ages 18 months and up will be able to join in for group classes where they can build up their confidence in the water.

Bloomington, Illinois
If you are looking for a convenient way to introduce your child to swimming, Nemo Swim School is for you. This center hosts lessons all across Bloomington, giving you the ability to find a school close to you. They offer sessions for kids as young as 2 years old. At the very beginning, your child will build up their comfort level as they participate in age-appropriate activities. These sessions were designed to be so fun, they won’t even notice they’re learning! The instructors also focus on keeping the classes small so each child can receive the attention they deserve. In the end, your child is going to get a solid foundation for years of fun!
24248 Ron Smith Memorial Highway, Hudson, Illinois 61748
East Bay Camp hosts Red Cross swimming lessons designed for kids of all ages. They start out with classes for kids as young as 6 months. In the beginning, these will be parent and child classes that let you join your child in the water. As your little one becomes a more competent swimmer, they will gain some independence as they learn alongside other kids their age. These lessons will be there for your child as long as they want to continue. They will keep working with the students to develop their skills, providing both recreational and competitive classes. The lessons will last for 30 minutes a week for 8-week sessions.

10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069
Streamline Swim School meets over at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort for regular swimming lessons. This school got its start back in 2012 amidst the rise of big-box schools. They set out to personalize things by offering fully customized lessons that gave long-lasting results. They go beyond basic skills by working with kids to be self-sufficient swimmers. By the time your child graduates, they are going to feel like total pros! They also make things incredibly convenient. If you have your own pool, they can meet you at your house for private lessons. They also give you the chance to either build your own semi-private group or full group.

If you are looking for swim lessons in Bloomington, IL that will build up your child’s confidence in the water, I think you are really going to adore these Bloomington schools. Sign up today so you can see the results for yourself!
Do you need more ways to make this time feel a little extra memorable? Then I would love to chat! I am a milestone photographer near Bloomington IL, and I adore working with my clients to plan sessions that let them make the most out of every second together. If you want to see if I’m a match for you, let’s chat about it! Send me a message today to find out more!