Best Indoor Swimming Pools for Kids and Families Around Seattle

People’s Pool, Tacoma

Water temp: 85 degrees

Offerings: Tacoma’s newest pool boasts an indoor spray pad, a small lazy river (no inner tubes), floating pads for walk-on-water play and poolside basketball hoops. It also offers swim lessons, but be sure to register early. Lessons are priced by number of sessions and age. Private pool rentals are also available on select days.

For little ones: This pool features a separate Tot Zone spray pad with geysers, for kids who want to have some water fun outside of the pool.

Pool tips: Adults must accompany children younger than 7 and/or under 42 inches in height in the water.

Pool deals: Ages 18 and younger swim free at all Metro Parks pools. Sign up for the community center pass here. 

Norpoint Pool, Tacoma

Water temp: 85 degrees

Offerings: Private party rentals, rec and family swim sessions, toddler zone swim, a teen program, and swim lessons (register early, priced by number of sessions and age). The Norpoint pool also has two hot tubs — one for families and one for adults only.

Fun features: Norpoint features a mushroom waterfall, water basketball, family spa and pool toys.

For little ones: The pool has a ramped entry for young swimmers.

Pool deals: Ages 18 and younger swim free at all Metro Parks pools. Sign up for the community center pass here. 

Eastside Community Pool, Tacoma

Water temp: 85 degrees

Offerings: Family and rec swim sessions, a teen program, tot zone, and lessons are available at all levels, including competitive and lifeguard training.

Fun features: This newer pool opened in the fall of 2018 and is home to a water vortex (perfect for the whirlpool enthusiasts in your family), an aqua zip, a water climbing wall, spray features and a slide.

Pool tips: Children ages 6 and younger must be accompanied by an adult within arm’s reach at all times in the pool.

For little ones: The pool has a Tot Zone shallow end for kids 6 and younger. Check the website for the current schedule. 

Pool deals: Ages 18 and younger are free at all Metro Parks Tacoma pools. Sign up for the community center pass here. 

Federal Way Community Center pool, Federal Way

Water temp: 86 degrees

Offerings:  Federal Way’s newly renovated leisure pool is now open. Be one of the first people to visit the updated pool, which has a two-story waterslide, an inner-tube lazy river with a whirlpool feature, and a spa. Private, semiprivate, group and teen programs are offered for all levels. In addition, there are rec swims, parent-tot swims and private pool rentals.

For little ones: Little swimmers will love the 2-foot-deep area with an interactive aquatic play structure and water sprayers.  

Pool tips: A day pass to the pool buys you access to the entire facility. The best bet for young children is the parent-tot swim in the leisure pool during the school year. As the schedule changes, check online for current times. Parents need to be in the water with kids younger than 8, and for the big slide, kids must be at least 4 feet tall.

Pool deals: Purchase a one-day pass to the community center, which allows you to use the basketball courts, swimming pools, walking/running track, fitness area and participation in any group fitness/aquatics classes. Monthly and annual passes are also available with discounted rates for Federal Way residents.

Note: All those under the age of 8 must have an adult in the water with them.

Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center, Federal Way

Editor’s note: The recreation pool is closed due to a circulation pump failure. A replacement is on order and an early February opening is anticipated. The pool will be closed until further notice. The lap and diving pools remain open. 

Water temp: 81 degrees (lap pool), 87 degrees (recreation pool)

Offerings: Recreation and family swim sessions, lessons for all levels for 6 months and up.

Fun features: The centerpiece of the recreation pool is a replica pirate ship with active water shooters and tipping water buckets.

For little ones: The recreational pool has ramped entry for young swimmers.

Pool tips: Certain outside toys and swim equipment are not allowed, so call ahead to make sure.  An adult must be in the pool with children younger than 6, within arm’s reach at all times. During family swim times, all children must be accompanied by an adult in the water.

Pool deals: Day passes for this pool are the same price for all ages.

Covington Aquatic Center, Covington

Water temp: 85 degrees

Offerings: This South Sound aquatic destination features a diving board, 31-foot water slide, huge inflatable octopus, floating magic carpet, rope swing, water basketball and pool toys. You’ll find a variety of swim sessions on offer: recreation, family and parent-tot, plus private and semiprivate swim lessons for all ages, as well as private party rentals. Swim times vary, so it’s best to check the schedule online before planning your trip to the pool..

For little ones: Tiptoe across the foam floating magic carpet and play with toys in the shallow end.

Pool tips: There are often special public swims on school early-dismissal days or vacation days. The center offers special events like the “Spooky Swim” and the “Hollydaze Float In,” for which details can be found on the pool registration webpage (search “spooky” or “hollydaze” to register, but note that info might not be available if the event is months away). The inflatable octopus is in the water on weekends during public swims, and the magic carpet is available during weekday public swims. 

Pool deals: Family discounts, 10-visit discount cards and memberships are available (though not required).

Discover Aquatics, Olympia

Water temp: 87–89 degrees (salinated pool)

Offerings: Family open swim, pool parties, lifeguard training course, and lessons available for all levels starting as early as 4 months of age. Call for the current swim schedule, 360-867-9283. Note: Open Swim is only open to those currently enrolled in an active registered class.

Fun features: This warm, salinated pool offers large floating mats and pool toys. 

Pool tips: Ages 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult (16 or older) in the pool at all times.

Pool deals: Save $2 off open swim if enrolled in lessons. 

Editor’s note: ParentMap staff contributed to this article, which was originally published several years ago and has been updated most recently in 2023.