Dance! For so many young dancers, it is a huge, wonderful part of their lives. If you have a dancer in your life, they probably have some dance related items on their Christmas wish list. I wanted to compile a list of gifts for dance kids that included all manner of things that they surely want, need, will love, and can always use more of.
I don’t have dancer here in Casa Artsplorer, but thankfully, I know some pretty fantastic dance mums, and I asked them to help me compile the BEST EVER gift guide for young dancers. They did not let me down. Here’s what a whole bunch of experienced dance mamas said that their dancers would love to receive this Christmas.
Where possible, I have included links for purchasing the same or similar items in Australia and the United States.
(This post contains some affiliate links. Pictures may be different from items linked, as this post is continually updated.)
Costume Roller
The biggest ticket item on this list, my dance mums tell me that a Costume Roller bag is one of the most coveted items.ms for young dancers. Perfect for hauling ALL THE STUFF to rehearsals, shows, and eisteddfods, with the very big added benefit of having its very own costume rack.
The medium Dream Duffel retails for $250 in Australia. Or, in U.S. EcoGear duffel with garment rack retails for $113.35.
Dance Bags
Speaking of dance bags, dance totes are a hot commodity. Actually, the exact phrase of my dance mums told me was, “a f–ing ginormous dance bag.” One mum with a teenage dancer said that Capezio bags are particularly popular with her daughter’s friend group.
The Everyday dance duffel is available from the Australian Capezio store for $79.95. Or, in the U.S., the Capezio Rock Star duffel is available here for $55.75.
Warm Up Booties
Warm Up Booties are a soft nylon boot that dancers can wear when they’re not on stage. They keep feet warm without having to take dance shoes off, and they also help preserve the shoes by keeping them covered between use.
In Australia, purchase from Bloch for $59.95 for children’s sizes or $69.96 for adult sizes. (Available in a lot of different colors). In the U.S., purchase for $40 for children or $45 for adult sizes.
Turn Board
Turn boards are designed to help dancers complete rotations, while focusing on spotting, finding their center, and arm placement. From my reading, some dancers swear by them for helping them master turns, while others haven’t found it terribly helpful.
If you have a dancer who wants to give a Turn Board a try, you can buy them in Australia for $48. Or, from the U.S. for $24.95 (if you’re in Australia and have time to wait for shipping, you may just find it cheaper to buy from overseas).
Hair Box
A hair accessories box with dividers is useful for keeping the pins from the elastics from the brushes from the gels.
A Dream Duffel box in Australia is $15 here. Or, a personalised box for $26 (Australia) would make a sweet gift. In the U.S., try this pre-loaded hair box for $9.99. Or, a personalised option in the U.S. for $23.
Makeup Bag
Every dancer needs a trusty makeup bag! Of course, there are a gazillion choices out there. I’ve picked just a couple that might strike your fancy, or keep looking for the perfect case!
For Australian shoppers:
For U.S. shoppers:
- Dream Trolley Hanging Cosmetic Case: $30
- Makeup Train Case: $26.99
- LL Bean Toiletry Bag, Medium: $29.95
Folding Mirror
A makeup bag may have a small mirror for the face, but to do a full costume check a folding full-length mirror that can hang on a costume rack is the ticket. When not in use, they fold up flat to fit in a dance bag.
Purchase one in Australia for $75. This one in the U.S. is $36.
Choreography Notebook
There’s always more choreography to learn! How about a notebook to keep it all straight?
The Fosse inspired notebook from Redbubble is $16.55 USD and ships worldwide.
Stretch Bands
An exercise tool helping with flexibility, stretch bands are latex straps which can be used for a variety of stretching and strengthening exercises.
In Australia, the Bloch exercise band is $19.95. In the U.S., the SUPERIORBRAND Stretch Band (pictured) is $16.99.
Dance Graphic T-shirts
One of the dance mums said that her daughter really enjoys having dance slogan t-shirts, especially ones that no one else has. Etsy is a good place to find some original designs. (Girls may prefer crop top or racer back styles, rather than classic T’s). The ballet silouhette shirt pictured is available here for $38.33 AUD, shipping from North Carlolina, USA.
Bun accessories
Another of the dance mums said that her daughter is particular about her clothes, but she always welcomes accessories for dressing up her bun. Ribbons, bows, pretty pins, and jewelry to wrap around it are all in favor.
Just a few ideas, as pictured here:
Top left: Bloch Australia Flower Ribbons – $14.95
Top right: Bloch Australia Foil Scrunchie – $9.95
Bottom left: White flower hair pins, Amazon U.S. – $12.97
Bottom right: Crochet Hairnet, Amazon U.S. – $8.99
Books
Dance Moms/Sia video star Maddie Ziegler reigns supreme as the coolest cat in the world of young dancers. And now she’s the coolest author.
The Maddie Diaries is her memoir.
In Australia, purchase from Booktopia ($24.95). In the U.S., purchase from Amazon ($19.08).
Moving into non-fiction, The Audition and The Callback is a middle grade series about 12 year old dancer, Harper.
The Audition – Booktopia ($14.50) / Amazon ($13.59)
The Callback – Booktopia ($14.50) / Amazon ($12.32)
For the tiniest dancers, a ballet alphabet book will help them learn all the terms and their letters at the same time. The Wiggles have compiled a beautiful book with Emma’s Ballet Alphabet. In this book, A is for Arabesque, M is for Manèges and so forth. In Australia, purchase from Booktopia for $18.75 or from U.S. Amazon for $15.78.
Accessories
The pointe shoe keyring is a classic for dancers, and a great stocking stuffer (just, perhaps, do a sneaky check that your recipient doesn’t have one, as I’m told they are a very popular gift for dance kids!). It comes in a assortment of colors, and there’s also a Latin dance shoe.
Buy it from Bloch Australia for $12.95. Or, Amazon U.S. for $8.50.
This leather infinity charm bracelet is a really lovely item for dancers to show off their dance love all day long.
Find it in Australia for $14.95 AUD or in the U.S. for $6.99.
And, let’s not forget that boys dance, too! The website /Boys Dance Too Australia certainly hasn’t (EDIT: since print, the U.S. version of Boys Dance Too has transitioned to an educational hub for male dancers, and is no longer a shop). A range of boys and men’s dancewear and accessories, like graphic tees, are available.
See Live Dance!
Nothing ignites a young dancer’s passion quite like seeing the professionals. Tickets to a performance might just be the best gift for dance kids. Here in Australia, consider booking tickets to The Australian Ballet, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Force Majeure, or the professional dance company of your capital city. For very young dance lovers, the Australian Ballet annually tours a “Storytime Ballet,” which is a short version of a major work suitable for pre-school attention spans. (Storytime ballet is suspended in 2020).
Speaking of the Australian Ballet, one of the dance mums mentioned that her dancer had loved having a Youth membership to the Friends of the Australian Ballet ($25), which was given as a gift.
Outside of Australia, most major cities will host at least one professional dance company, and performing arts centres often host touring dance companies, as well. (Covid-19 restrictions are in place for 2020)
Dance families, do you have any much-loved gifts for dance kids to add to this list? Drop them in the comments!
BUYING GIFTS FOR DANCE KIDS? PIN IT FOR LATER!
