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Swimming lessons are hosted by the city's outdoor swimming pools each summer, while the Parks Department's swim classes are held at indoor recreation center pools throughout NYC in the spring, winter, and fall.

You can register your child for each season or just one. What you don't want to do is register at multiple locations for the same session. (This is not school ranking, folks.) The system will remove your application as a duplicate if you apply for more than one spot. You will, however, have to fill out a registration for each child if you're hoping to register the whole family.

RELATED: Free and Cheap After-school Programs for NYC Kids

Get ready to be a great swimmer at NYC Parks swim lessons.

Free Summer Swimming Lesson Details

The Parks Department offers FREE swimming lessons at select outdoor city pools during the summer, with classes for toddlers ages 1 1/2 to 5, kids ages 6 to 17, and even seniors (ages 62 and older). The full list of participating pools by borough is available on the Parks Department's website. Important note: If your child is ages 1 1/2 to 5, you are required to be in the water with them during lessons (one caregiver per kid). Children who miss more than two consecutive lessons are dropped from the class.

There are three sessions offered for summer 2025 swimming lessons, and session timing varies by pool location. If your child is lucky enough to nab a swimming lesson spot, you'll attend multiple days over a two-week session. It takes a little research to find the session that works for your family.

Registration for the first session closes on Tuesday, July 1; subsequent registration sessions end on Thursday, July 17, and Friday, August 1, with lessons starting about a week after each lottery closes.

RELATED: Indoor Swimming Pools in NYC Offering Day Passes

Line up for swimming lessons with NYC Parks.

How to Enter the Swimming Lesson Lottery

Enter the online lottery for the session. Register separately for each child, and remember to submit only one application per child, since duplicates are automatically deleted from the lottery system. Winners are chosen at random, and the Parks Department will email you if selected. You'll have three days to accept your spot or risk being placed on the wait list.

Attendance at these free summer swimming lessons is important: If your child misses two classes in a row, they'll be dropped automatically and replaced with a child from the wait list.

Additional Free NYC Swim Sessions

The Parks Department offers swim lessons free of charge at indoor pools year-round. Below are the programs that are usually offered. Locations and schedule info are available on the registration page.

Saturday Learn-to-Swim Lessons

All ages
Saturday learn-to-swim lessons are organized into three age groups: 1 1/2 to 5, 6 to 17, and adults. Children ages 1 1/2 to 5 must be accompanied in the water by an adult who is a member of the recreation center.

After-School Learn-to-Swim Lessons

Ages 6-17
Indoor pools across the city offer swim classes for ages 6 and up after school on select weekdays, usually starting at 4pm.

Swim Team

Ages 6-18
Advanced swimmers can hone their skills by joining a competitive swim team. These sessions emphasize technique, endurance, speed, and sportsmanship as participants train for the High Point Meets and the Borough Cup Championship. Kids must be able to swim 50 yards in reasonably good form to try out, and are required to submit a completed application and a copy of their birth certificate. Register for a swim team tryout online.

For more information about the Parks Department's swimming lessons, visit the website.

This article was originally published in 2009 but is frequently updated.

Unless noted, all photos courtesy of NYC Parks