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dance bag essentials + practice-at-home gear for dancers
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items what dance studios and teachers actually say to pack, plus gear for practicing at home. the bag list follows bloch's dance bag essentials, backstage's 20-item dance bag list and a class checklist from an ontario studio (performing dance arts): spare ...
Sections
3
class bag basics
practice at home
comp day + emergency kit
class bag basics
what to keep in the everyday class bag: hair stuff, blister care, water, spare tights, stretching tools and the bag itself.
bloch puts stretching gear on its dance bag list. this strap has multiple handholds, so you can ease into a deeper stretch bit by bit instead of forcing it. recycled polyester, packs small. 4.6 stars on 122 ratings.
All In Motion Stretch Strap
bloch suggests a foot roller for sudden cramps and warming up feet. textured rubber, and you can freeze it for cold or run it under hot water for warmth. 4.8 stars on 54 ratings.
All In Motion Hot and Cold Foot Roller
every list we checked says pins (bloch, backstage and the ontario studio checklist all name them). 50 metal bobby pins, 4.6 stars on 1,306 ratings. pack extra, they vanish.
scunci Metal Bobby Pins, 50 pack
spare hair ties are on bloch's list because they snap mid-class. these are soft hosiery-style elastics, and the listing says seamless construction for no snags, which matters if tugging bugs your dancer. this pack is the thick hair version. 4.8 stars...
scunci No Damage Hosiery Hair Ties, 10 pack
hairspray for buns is on bloch's and backstage's lists. it's here because it comes in an unscented version, which is handy if strong smells are a problem. extra strong hold. it's a spray, so cover faces and do it away from the dressing room crowd. 4....
L'Oreal Elnett Unscented Hairspray, Extra Strong Hold
bandages for blisters are on bloch's first aid list and backstage's. these are hydrocolloid blister pads, waterproof, and the box says they protect for up to 5 days. 6 per box. 4.6 stars on 2,289 ratings.
Band-Aid Hydrocolloid Blister Bandages, 6 count
every list says bring your own water, and backstage says skip glass since it can break. 16 oz stainless, with a built-in straw or a chug spout, and a lock so it doesn't open in the bag. 4.8 stars on 14,421 ratings.
Owala 16oz Kids' FreeSip Stainless Steel Water Bottle
the everyday class bag, similar to the one we bought. a separate zip shoe compartment keeps dance shoes away from snacks and clothes, and the waterproof wet pocket handles sweaty stuff (backstage says pack something for damp clothes). 17.7 x 7.9 x 11...
DAKIMOE Duffel with Shoe Compartment + Wet Pocket
warm up booties keep feet warm between classes, rehearsals and performances. we bought a pair (a different brand). bloch's are a nylon shell with polyester fill and a cushioned heel, and they're machine washable. kids sizing, so check bloch's size ch...
Bloch Kids Warm Up Booties
spare tights, because they tear (bloch and backstage both say pack backups). these are capezio's seamless ones, which matters if seams bug your dancer. semi-opaque, moisture wicking, nylon and spandex, machine washable. these are women's sizes, and t...
Capezio Seamless Tights
bloch and backstage both say bring a notebook, bloch's list says for dance terms, combinations and rehearsal or show dates. spiral, 80 pages, ruled or blank, two sizes, and you pick the cover colour. made to order by a small us shop (4.8 stars on 373...
Choreography Journal for Dancers, PrairieBelleDesigns
practice at home
for practicing between classes: a tap floor (loud on purpose), a barre that adjusts down to kid height, and a beginner baton. stagestep's home practice guide is the source for the floor and barre.
stagestep's guide to practicing at home lists a barre as the add-on. this one is freestanding with a double bar that adjusts from 7 to 46 in, so it works for small kids and adults. rubber feet so it shouldn't scratch floors, and no holes in your wall...
Costway 4ft Freestanding Double Ballet Barre
we have a baton (different brand, from amazon.ca). this is star line's starlet ii, and the listing says many coaches prefer it for beginners. 26 in, 3/8 in standard shaft. batons are sized to the twirler, so check the length with your coach before or...
Star Line Baton Co. Starlet II Twirling Baton
same brand as the tap floor we have (ours is the smaller one, from amazon.ca). stagestep says a practice board is the move for focused tap work at home. bamboo, roughly 4 ft x 3 ft, 0.3 in thick, non-slip backing, rolls up into a carry bag. heads up:...
Tristcily Foldable Bamboo Tap Dance Floor
comp day + emergency kit
the comp day stuff and the emergencies baggy: needle and thread, safety pins, clear polish for tights runs, fabric tape, a stain pen, wax for flyaways, fragrance-free makeup wipes and a first aid kit to build on. pulled from comp checklists by perfor...
for comp days. similar to the garment rack bag we bought. 28 in rolling duffel, the rack extends to 56.6 in so costumes hang instead of crushing, 10 pockets, and it folds down to 6 in for storage. heads up: the listing says 10.8 lb empty, so it's not...
28" Collapsible Rolling Dance Bag with Garment Rack
for the flyaways hairspray misses. a twist-up wax stick you swipe over a bun or slick back, and the listing says flake-resistant with no white cast, which matters on stage. 4.5 stars on 524 ratings. heads up: the listing doesn't say it's unscented, s...
got2b Glued On-the-Go Hair Wax Stick
the emergencies baggy. every comp checklist we read has a first aid section (bandaids, blister care, pads or tampons, pain reliever, tissues). this is an empty zip case from band-aid you fill yourself, about 9.5 x 6.75 x 2.75 in. it comes empty, so a...
Band-Aid Build Your Own First-Aid Kit Bag
needle and thread for the costume rip 10 minutes before you go on. performing dance arts and dance spirit both put a mini sewing kit on their comp lists. 10 thread colours, 3 needles, a threader, safety pins, buttons and folding scissors the listing ...
Fiskars 27pc Travel Sewing Kit
safety pins in different sizes are on performing dance arts' emergency sewing kit list. good for a popped strap, a loose hem or pinning a number on. three sizes, 25 of each, nickel-plated steel. 4.6 stars on 387 ratings.
Fiskars Safety Pins, 75 pack
the old dancer trick: dab clear polish on a snag in your tights so the run stops spreading (dance spirit and performing dance arts both list it). this one is a clear top coat that dries fast, which helps backstage. it smells like nail polish, so open...
Sally Hansen Dries Instantly Clear Top Coat
two-sided tape is on tututix's comp survival kit list. this is scotch fabric tape for a dropped hem or a piece of costume that won't stay put, no sewing needed. it's made for fabric to fabric, not for skin. removable, ¾ in wide, 180 in roll. 4.3 star...
Scotch Removable Double-Sided Fabric Tape
for lipstick on a costume or a snack spill right before stage. dance spirit puts stain remover pens or wipes on its preparedness kit. pen size, fits in the emergency bag. 4.5 stars on 4,783 ratings. the listing doesn't say unscented, so check it if s...
Tide To Go Stain Remover Pen
stage makeup and glitter have to come off before the drive home (performing dance arts and tututix both list makeup wipes). these are fragrance free, which is why they're here over the scented ones, and the listing says they take off waterproof masca...
Neutrogena Fragrance Free Makeup Remover Wipes
the easy way to start the emergencies baggy: a tiny 12-piece first aid kit in a hard case, and it's only a couple of dollars. tututix says start your comp first aid with a standard kit, then add blister pads, pads or tampons and whatever your dancer ...
Johnson & Johnson First Aid To Go Mini Kit, 12pc