Tag: dance kit essentials

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Back to Ballet: Term Start Checklist for Dance Parents

Full ballet kit flat lay for new term checklist on cream linen

The start of a new ballet term — whether September, January, or after a summer break — is the perfect time to audit your child’s dance kit. Growth spurts, worn-out shoes, and faded leotards have a way of accumulating unnoticed over the holidays. A quick check before the first class saves you the panic of discovering nothing fits on a Tuesday morning.

Check Every Item Against Your Child’s Current Body

Children grow, and ballet kit needs to keep up. Before term starts, have your child try on every item:

  • Leotard: Can they move freely at the hips? Are the straps pulling? Is the torso length comfortable? If it’s tight anywhere, it’s time to replace it.
  • Tights: Are they still the right size? Tights that are too short pull at the crotch and are distracting in class. Check for holes, pills, and thinning around the knees.
  • Ballet shoes: Press gently at the toe end with the child standing — if there’s less than a finger’s width of room, they’re too small. Check the elastic: is it still sewn securely?
  • Elastic belt: Does it go around the waist comfortably without digging in? Replace if it’s stretched out or discolored.
  • Warm-ups: Wrap cardigans, booties, and leg warmers should fit comfortably over the class uniform.

Are They in the Right Grade This Term?

If your child has been promoted to a new grade, they’ll need a new leotard color. Check with the school in advance — don’t wait for the teacher to tell you at the first class. If there’s been a grade change, allow 1–2 weeks to order the new leotard so it arrives in time.

Stock Up on Consumables

Some items run out and need regular replenishing:

  • Hair pins (kirby grips/bobby pins) — these disappear constantly
  • Hairnets — replace torn or stretched ones
  • Clear hair elastics
  • A spare pair of tights (tights get holes at the worst moments)

Refresh the Bag Itself

Check the ballet bag for:

  • Broken straps or zippers that need repairing or replacing
  • Old snack wrappers and debris from last term
  • Lost property from the bottom of the bag (hair clips, socks, notes from the teacher)

Label everything with your child’s name before the first class. Lost property boxes fill up quickly at the start of a new term.

First Class of Term: What to Expect

The first class of a new term is often more relaxed than regular classes — teachers use it to assess where students are after the break, reintroduce exercises, and welcome any new students. It’s a good time for your child to settle back in without pressure.

If this is a new student’s first class, see our first ballet class guide for a full starter kit list.

September vs January Term: What’s Different

September is the biggest term start of the year — class levels are often reshuffled, new students join, and some students will have moved up a grade. January is usually a continuation of the autumn term’s syllabus, with exam preparation ramping up for spring exams.

For exam terms specifically, pay extra attention to uniform condition — you don’t want to be replacing a leotard two weeks before the examination.

Frequently Asked Questions

My daughter seems to need a new leotard every term. Is that normal?

For children in rapid growth phases (typically ages 8–12), yes — it’s common to need a new leotard every 1–2 terms. Buying one size up at the start of each year can help extend the life of each leotard.

Can I get away with not replacing tights if they’re only slightly worn?

For class, usually yes. For exams, always start fresh. Worn tights look unprofessional in an examination setting and are one of the easiest and cheapest things to replace.

My son started ballet last year and is moving up a grade. What does he need to change?

Boys’ uniform doesn’t typically use the same color-coded system as girls’. Check with the teacher whether any changes are needed — it may just be a new size of the same items.

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How to Store Ballet Shoes and Keep Your Dance Kit Organised

How to Store Ballet Shoes and Keep Your Dance Kit Organised

Proper storage of ballet shoes and dancewear extends the life of the kit and makes weekly preparation for class much faster. A ballet shoe stored damp in a sealed bag will develop odour and mould. A few minutes of organisation after class each week makes a noticeable difference to how long the kit lasts.

Short answer: Proper storage of ballet shoes and dancewear extends the life of the kit and makes weekly preparation for class much faster.

How to store soft ballet shoes between classes

After every class, remove ballet shoes from the dance bag and leave them to air dry in an open, ventilated space — not inside the bag. Sweat and moisture that sit inside a closed bag create the conditions for odour-causing bacteria and mould to develop. Leave the shoes upright or flat in a place with good airflow overnight. For canvas shoes, a small sachet of silica gel or a cedar ball placed inside the shoe helps absorb residual moisture and keeps the interior fresh.

How should pointe shoes be stored?

Pointe shoes should never be stored in a sealed bag or in a humid environment. After wearing, remove them from the bag and leave them to dry completely before storing — this can take several hours. The box (the hardened toe area) softens dramatically when wet from dancing and needs to be fully dried in its correct shape. Some dancers stuff the toe with tissue while drying to help the shoe hold its form. Once dry, store pointe shoes in a mesh bag or a breathable fabric pouch — not in plastic. Pressure on the sides of the box can permanently distort the shape.

What to pack in the dance bag each week

A well-organised dance bag makes the pre-class rush much calmer. Keep a checklist inside the bag and restock after each class rather than before. A standard kit list includes:

  • Leotard (freshly washed)
  • Ballet tights (check for ladders before packing)
  • Soft ballet shoes
  • Character shoes (if required)
  • Hair supplies: elastic, pins, hairnet, gel
  • Water bottle (closed, not a cup)
  • Spare elastic and pins (small emergency supply)

How to keep the bag itself clean and fresh

Dance bags need regular airing and occasional washing. Canvas bags can usually be machine washed; check the care label. Leather or structured bags should be wiped down inside with a damp cloth and left open to air after class. If the bag smells despite these measures, a small open sachet of baking soda left inside the empty bag overnight removes residual odours effectively.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How should pointe shoes be stored between classes?

Take them out of the bag after class, remove toe pads, and place them in a breathable mesh bag or leave them open on a shelf. Allow them to dry completely before the next class — damp pointe shoes break down quickly.

Is it bad to leave ballet shoes in the car between classes?

Heat in a parked car can soften the glue in ballet shoes and accelerate the breakdown of pointe shoe shanks and boxes. Store shoes at room temperature and avoid leaving them in a hot car, especially in summer.

How do I prevent ballet tights from developing holes quickly?

Wash them inside-out in a mesh laundry bag, avoid stretching them when wet, and store them folded rather than stuffed into a tight space. Trim long toenails before class to avoid snagging the fabric from inside.