Free Family Swim Times (In Boston)

Family swim is reserved for families. The typical pool schedule is packed with lap swim, swim lessons, and even swim meets. So family swim is a really special time where families can enjoy the entire pool together. It's perfect for ...

• families looking to hone their swimming skills

• families looking for a fun sport/activity to do together

• families with little ones who are just getting used to water

• families with kids who aren't interested in formal swim lessons

• kids who love water play

Below are indoor pools with current family swim times. Please know BCYF (Boston Centers for Youth and Families) regularly adds times to their schedule, which you can check out here.

Location	Days + Times
Curtis Hall Pool (Jamaica Plain)	Fri | 4:00pm - 4:45pm; 6:00pm - 6:45pm
Flaherty Pool (Roslindale)	Wed and Fri | 7:15pm - 8:15 pm
Mason Pool (Roxbury)	Fri | 7:30pm - 8:25pm; Sat | 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Paris Street Pool (East Boston)	Tues and Thurs | 5:00pm - 5:45pm; Wed and Fri | 6:00pm - 6:45pm

Are Family Swim Times Crowded?

No. We're not sure if family swim is under promoted or if certain locations don't get much traffic. Often times one family can have the entire pool to themselves. Weekends are probably different.

Are Lifeguards Onsite?

Yes! While family swim is free (for now), they may require you to register online. According to the BCYF Aquatics Director, this is to make sure the pool has enough lifeguards on staff. We believe registration is also a data collection tool to keep track of facility use, understand how many families are being served, and what neighborhoods they are coming from.

Can You Bring Water Toys?

For safety reasons, most pools will not allow you to bring outside toys. For example, if your little one wants to bring their favorite rubber ducky, it can get caught in pool drains. Some facilities may have (and let you use their) diving toys, balls, and other water entertainment.

Any Tips On What To Pack?

We think it’s best to pack light when traveling with little ones. Instead of packing the following items, consider wearing your swim clothes to the pool (especially if you plan to walk). If you're driving, you can pack a change of clothes so that no one feels damp. Below are more suggestions...

Swim Diaper

Tankini

Kids Changing Towel

Oversized Towel

Flip-flops

Swim Bag

Wet Bag

Life Jacket

Soap

Lotion

Water Bottle

Snacks

Swim cap

Underwater Camera

Goggles

Change of Clothes

If you're interested in free swim lessons, we list some here. And if you want to see more family-friendly things to do in the city, we have a calendar here.