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What I Keep in Our Dance Bags
25
items Everything I actually keep in our dance bags as a mom of multiple dancers—simple, practical, and things I’ve learned the hard way.
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Sections
5
Dance Wear + Shoes
Hair + Emergency Bag Essentials
Strength and Recovery
Snacks and Hydration
The bags we use
Dance Wear + Shoes
The dancewear we actually use and keep coming back to. From ballet shoes and tights to leotards that have held up through countless classes and rehearsals, these are favorites for Mom, daughter, and son. 🩰
Our go-to ballet shoe! Mom, daughter, and son all wear the Bloch Performa. They’re comfortable, lightweight, and hug the foot nicely without a ton of bulk. After trying plenty of ballet shoes over the years, these are the ones we keep coming back to.
Performa Ballet Shoes
One of my favorites for boys! Same lightweight, stretchy Performa fit we already love, but the white canvas works perfectly when you don’t want the traditional ballet pink. Warren wears these for ballet.
Childrens Performa Stretch Canvas Ballet Shoes, White - Bloch
A dancewear favorite that actually gets worn in our house. I love pieces that are comfortable enough for long classes but still have that clean, classic ballet look. This one has earned its place in the regular rotation.
Daria
Some of my family’s favorite dance wear 💖
Corps Dancewear - The New Standard for Quality Dancewear
I finally splurged on a Bodile leotard for myself and I get the hype. They ship from Australia, but they’re one of the few higher-end dancewear brands I’ve found with really beautiful leotards available in an XL. The quality and fit made this one wor...
Premium Ballet Leotards | Australian-Designed Dancewear
A ballet bag basic. We prefer convertible tights because they’re easy to pull off the foot when needed for pointe shoes, foot care, or changing between classes. I always like having an extra pair tucked in the bag too—because tights never seem to rip...
Girls Convertible Tights, Ballet Pink
Good boys’ ballet tights can be surprisingly hard to find. These give that clean, traditional ballet look and work well for class and performances. One of those less exciting dance purchases that’s absolutely worth having when you have a boy in balle...
Boys Dance Tights | Professional Performance Tights - Body Wrappers
Hair + Emergency Bag Essentials
The little things you don’t think about until you REALLY need them. Hair supplies, first aid, sewing essentials and the backup items I like having with us for classes, rehearsals and performance days.
Can you ever have enough?
A ballet bag staple. These hold buns securely without needing a million pins, and they’re easy to tuck into a small hair kit for class, rehearsals, and performances.
U Shaped Pins - Walmart
I always keep a small first aid kit in our dance bag. Blisters, little cuts, sore toes—you never know what’s going to happen during a long class or rehearsal day.
Welly : First Aid Kits
Every dancer should have some kind of sewing kit in their bag.
Sewing Kit (SK001N) - Nikolay
No more fly aways! I hate how hair spray leaks, or a gets clogged. This is the much better medium for a clean tight bun.
Bed Head by TIGI Hair Wax Stick
Tame so wisps and have an amazing beautiful sleek bun. Non damaging to the hair, will probably not work on course hair types.
Deal for Prime Members: DAE Cactus Fruit 3-in1 Styling Cream & Taming Wand - Tames Flyaways | Style edges, Defines curls, Adds shine, Hydrates & moisturizes, Built-in taming wand, Convenient on-the-go purse size
Strength and Recovery
A few of our favorite tools for stronger dancers and tired feet. These are the things we use for stretching, strengthening, conditioning and recovery before or after long classes and rehearsals.
Such a simple little tool, but amazing for tired dancer feet. Great for rolling out sore arches and feet after class, rehearsals, or a long day in pointe shoes.
Foot Rubz Massager Ball - Walmart.com
So good for sore, tired feet after dancing. Easy to throw in a dance bag and especially nice during those long rehearsal and performance weeks.
Rubz Foot Roller - Walmart
Great for dancer conditioning and strengthening without a bunch of bulky equipment. We use bands for legs, hips, feet, and general strength work.
Resistance Bands in Exercise & Fitness Accessories - Walmart.com
One of my favorites for foot and ankle strengthening. They take up basically no room, so they’re easy to keep in a dance bag for conditioning and warm-ups.
Flat Resistance Bands for Fitness and Rehab in Sports & Outdoors
Snacks and Hydration
Long dance days require snacks! These are the things I actually keep in our bags for classes, rehearsals, and those days when we practically live at the studio. Easy snacks, plenty of water, and electrolytes to keep everyone fueled and hydrated witho...
I love my HydroJug for long days at the studio because it holds plenty of water without me constantly having to refill it. It’s easy to carry from class to class, keeps my water cold, and has become one of those things I pretty much always have with ...
HydroJug
These are Evie’s favorite! I love keeping ALOHA bars in her dance bag because they’re vegan, gluten-free, and a relatively clean protein snack that she actually enjoys eating. They’re easy to grab between classes or rehearsals and don’t weigh too hea...
Aloha Protein Bars in Protein Bars - Walmart.com
Our favorite electrolyte mix! It tastes good, has a well-rounded electrolyte blend, is affordable, and comes in enough flavors that everyone can find one they actually like.
Ultima Replenisher Hydration Electrolyte Powder Lemonade 30 ...
Crunchy roasted edamame that reminds me of Corn Nuts! A salty, satisfying dance bag snack when you want something crunchy that isn’t another bag of chips.
The Only Bean Food - Walmart.com
Always need more cups
Stainless Steel Tumblers – Stanley 1913
The bags we use
The bags currently hauling all of the above! These are the dance bags and backpacks Mom, Evie, and Warren are actually using right now. With three dancers in the family, I need bags that are comfortable, hold a ridiculous amount of stuff, and can han...
Moms bag 💖
Love my Multitasker for long days at the studio! It holds everything I need to switch between ballet mom and office admin without carrying multiple bags.
Multitasker Tote Black | Poppy and Peonies
I literally get no kick back if you buy these bags. This is my absolute favorite work bag. I love them. I love the color and I love how durable they are.
Totes | Poppy and Peonies
My daughter’s everyday dance bag. Simple, durable, and roomy enough for everything she needs for class without being overly bulky.
Corduroy Backpacks – JanSport US
Evie’s favorite ballet bag for all day! She has a lunch box that matches as well as tons of other mix matching bags. Makes organizing easy.
Tote Bags