Dive into the Des Moines Mom Swimming Lessons Guide!
Swimming lessons are more than just a rite of passage. Whether starting babies in water safety courses or getting kids to finally learn to swim, it’s an important life skill that reduces the risk of drowning. Swim schools have special curricula for every level of learner, plus they make it extra fun to entice the most water-timid of kids.
This guide is sponsored by Foss Swim School, but it is a comprehensive guide to Swim Schools in the Des Moines metro.
To inquire about featuring your business in this guide, please email [email protected]
Foss Swim School

Foss Swim School offers personalized small group swimming lessons across over 20 locations throughout the Midwest — including Ankeny, Iowa — starting with swimmers as young as six-months-old.
FOSS’s small group quarterly lessons are based on the student’s level of comfort, learning style, and personality with the focus being on learning and mastering new skills – not just passing levels. FOSS’s curriculum and approach, which has been honed over 30 years of operation, make safety a top priority and recognizes that kids learn to swim best when they learn to love and respect water. FOSS’s method personalizes a learning path for each student by breaking down the basics into simple parts: enjoying water, floating, flipping to breathe, and the standard strokes. FOSS facilities offer everything you’d expect of a modern swim school: thoroughly-trained teachers, warm water to keep students happy and comfortable, private changing areas, sanitized pools and purified air, and pools purpose-built for learning.

Additional Swimming Lessons in Des Moines
Aqua-Tots Swim School – West Des Moines
This worldwide swim school has been teaching kids since 1991. They have a “safety first, fun every second approach”. With open enrollment, you can take classes for as little or as long as you want.
Goldfish Swim School – Urbandale
Their play-based curriculum starts as early as 4 months. Take part in year-round classes for kids up to 12 years or take advantage of one of their Jump Start clinics where you can fast track 4 or 5 classes in one week.
Locally owned and operated, Natavi offers all levels of swim lessons in group and private options. They also have many water aerobics, yoga, and meditation events to enjoy the water beyond lessons.
SafeSplash Swim School – Waukee
They offer classes for babies up through adult swim, as well as triathlete training and special needs classes. Though new to the metro, SafeSplash has a proven curriculum developed by a team of champion swimmers with over 30 years of experience.
YMCA of Greater Des Moines – Multiple Locations
Have a Y membership? They offer Water Discovery classes that are free with a family membership for kids ages 6 months – 3 years. In these classes, parents help their children learn to enjoy the water in preparation for preschool lessons later on.