What to bring in your dance bag?
When your dancer sets off for their first lesson it’s such an exciting time for you both. But it can be a bit fraught getting little people out the door and it’s a sinking feeling if you get to class only to realise you've forgotten the dance shoes or drink bottle and there is no time to head back home for these forgotten items.
The best way to avoid these mini disasters, is to have a dedicated dance bag with all the key essentials packed and ready for dance class. When lesson times roles around, your child can simply grab it from their bedroom and it will save you worry and time.
Dance Bag
The perfect sized dance bag will depend on the age and stage your dancer is at. For little beginners a canvas tote or small dance bag is perfect to make sure everything you need is in the one spot. Something like this will work fine CLICK HERE or even just a canvas tote bag is fine , something like THIS would work fine. At this point in time, your little dance will just need a few things each lesson, so keep it small and simple.
For intermediate and senior dancers a specifically tailored dance bag which offers a range of options is preferred. Dance duffel bags will usually feature a ventilated shoe compartment to assist with airing dance shoes after use, a drink bottle holder, and phone and accessories pocket. This unicorn duffel bag is perfect for younger dancers, or the junior duffel bag is also a great option.
Once your dancer reaches competition level, you may also invest in specialist costume and makeup bags, but we’ll leave discussion on these options for another time! If you happen to be looking for these, then take a look at some options here!
Dance Shoes
Dance ready shoes are the most essential item in your dance bag. You'll need shoes that are appropriate for the class, and some regular shoes on hand for getting to and from class. Remember, dance shoes are indoor shoes and ideally shouldn’t be worn to and from class.
Some options for getting to dance class are warm up booties or even Ugg boots, which leave plenty of room to slip right over little feet with ballet shoes already on! These protect your dance shoes while getting to and from the dance studio.
Alternatively, runners or sneakers or in summer your sandals or thongs can be worn. Having another pair of outdoor shoes to wear to and from will ensure their shoes last the season, as getting them wet and dirty will mean having to buy new shoes much faster than you need to.
Warm Clothing
It’s a good idea to keep a crossover in your dance bag for those colder days. Crossovers can be worn during the lesson as they fit snugly over the dance uniform and are a recognised part of the dance costume.
If you don’t have a crossover, a cardigan or even a light hoodie will do. Preferably something with a zip which is easy to get on and off and won’t mess up the hairstyle.
You never know when the weather is going to change, so regardless of the season have an extra layer of clothing on hand.
Hair Styling
Dance classes require you to have a neat ballet bun or at least a tidy hairstyle with hair pulled back. In the rush to get your dancer to class, this can be overlooked, so it’s best to keep a dance styler pack in your dance bag. You can simply pop a few things in a little ziplock bag so you have it if you need it. The bare essential would be a small comb or brush, a hair tie or two and a couple of bobby pins).
If your dance class is more classical and you need a bun for lessons, then these are the basics you’ll need:
Natural bristle brush
Hairspray
Hair Elastics
Open pins
Bobby Pins (closed pins)
Hairnet
Tights or Socks
Depending on what dance school and which type of dance your child does, you may or may not needs tights. If they are a requirement for your class, then keep a pair of good quality dance tights in your dance bag. It’s also a good idea to keep a little pair of dance socks in there as back up too.
Getting a hole in your dance tights is a fact of dance life, so keep an extra pair ready.
Dance Outfit
Keep your dance outfit in or near your dance bag and ready to go for your next lesson. But as we all know, with little dancers accidents can happen so it’s a good idea to keep a spare leotard or outfit in your dance bag if you can.
Snacks
If you’re collecting your little dancer from daycare or school, then they are likely to be hungry and tired and it’s always a good move to have a snack packed and ready to eat.
Dancing on an empty stomach won’t make for a happy dance lesson, so a light healthy snack beforehand will work wonders.
Water Bottle
Keeping hydrated is important, especially during exercise and sport. /Sometimes we forget that dance is a sport, so the same rules apply here. Make sure there is a reusable drink bottle on hand and filled ready to go. Leave the empty dance water bottle in your dance bag so it’s never forgotten.
BandAids
Throw a couple of bandaids in your dance bag. You never know when you might need one, but new dance shoes can be the time of need!
