What To Pack for a Dance Convention

Whether it’s a one-day, weekend, or week-long event, conventions offer a great opportunity for young dancers to grow their skills.  The variety of classes, assortment of instructors, and quick pace keep the students (and their moms) on their toes!  To make sure your child gets the most out of the experience, help them to prepare themselves for those long, exhausting days by packing these essentials.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

The Clothes

Most likely, you will be able to view the class schedule ahead of time.  Make sure you take a look to see what classes your child will be taking before packing their dancewear. 

For girls, a leotard or two-piece dance ensemble (top with shorts, briefs, or leggings) is standard fare; either of these options work for all classes.  Older girls will probably gravitate towards sports bras and leggings, or something along those lines, rather than leos. When my girls were younger, they loved having a matching bow or scrunchie in their hair (those days are over for us now, sadly).  Boys typically wear a short-sleeved or sleeveless shirt that allows for movement, and athletic shorts or sweatpants.  

If there is a ballet class on your daughter’s schedule, consider packing some tights and a ballet skirt.  For hip-hop classes, think about your dancer’s age. A cute crop top thrown over the day’s outfit can work for younger kids, while teens and seniors might choose sweatpants or an oversized sweatshirt. Many dancers in ballroom classes are throwing on a fringe skirt to add some flair.

My advice would be to allow the dancer to choose their outfit (within the parameters of what is acceptable).  When they feel confident inside, it will show on the outside!

The Footwear

Quite honestly, we bring ALL of our shoes (except pointe) to dance conventions.  You never know what you’re going to need!  Pack the ballet shoes, tap shoes (with socks, if your dancer prefers), sneakers for hip-hop (with socks), etc.  For jazz, contemporary, and/or lyrical classes, a jazz shoe, half-shoe (turner), pedini, or foot thong will usually work.  

Again, you’d be wise to take a look at the schedule in advance to make sure your child will have everything.  As the dancers get older, there may be some unique classes on there (ballroom, precision jazz, musical theater, etc.).  Last year, I saw that my girls would have a ballroom session; I wound up buying them some ballroom/character shoes on Amazon.  Generally, instructors don’t really expect that you will have something specific like that (especially for younger kids).  Check in advance to see what shoes the dancers should wear instead (I’ve seen them suggest jazz shoes or half-shoes instead).

More students are wearing dance socks as the years go by (like Apollas or these Blochsox).  However, I’ve personally heard instructors ask the participants to change out of them for certain classes.  If your child really likes wearing them, there is no harm in throwing them in the bag just in case.

Nourishment

Before COVID, many conventions we have attended offered water coolers for the participants and observers.  However, we’ve been to conventions that had none (or the water in the coolers looked a bit sketchy).  I always send my girls with their own water, just in case.  We usually fill up their Hydro Flasks and pack a few disposable plastic ones.  

If they’re hungry (or worse, hangry), dancers will be less successful in keeping their focus and energy levels maintained throughout the long day.  Pack snacks (ALWAYS nut-free, in case others are allergic) so they can munch one down quickly in between classes.  Pretzels, crackers, nut-free cereal bars, raisins, etc. are great, refrigeration-free options.  If you can pack a cooler or lunch box, fruit slices, cheese sticks, yogurt tubes, hard boiled eggs, and other fresh food will provide a powerful pick-me-up.

Safety Pins or Bib-Ups for the Numbers

In convention classes, each dancer (aside from the “littles”) will need to wear a number provided by the company itself.  These are used to identify dancers for scholarships, call-outs, and other awards.  We’ve always been given stickers, but they get pretty crunched-up quickly.  Instead, we keep the paper backing on the sticker and use safety pins. Alternatively, you could use bib-ups or these heavy-duty Scar and Co. magnets (for older dancers only).  Don’t forget to pack the numbers and/or wristbands themselves if your studio gives them to you ahead of time!

Hair Supplies

Dancing with your hair in your face can be a huge distraction.  Your long-haired dancer should wear their hair back for convention classes, and bring back-up supplies just in case the ‘do falls (that tends to happen with HOURS of intense activity!).  A travel-sized brush, comb, elastics, gel, hairspray, and bobby pins can be kept in a small case in the larger dance bag for those hair emergencies. For a more complete list, take a look at Competition Essentials – Hair Supplies.

First Aid and Injury Prevention

Keeping a small first aid kit in your dancer’s bag is a great idea.  Chances are, unfortunately, that someone from the team will need something (even if it’s not your child)!  Instant cold packs that can be “broken” and used on the spot are perfect for injuries at dance conventions, competitions, and classes; I try to keep them stocked at all times.  My girls have begun carrying a BioFreeze roll-on in their bags for quick cooling relief for minor injuries. Band-aids, Neosporin, pain relievers, and nausea medication are great additions as well.  Some dancers also pack gel dots like these to prevent friction on specific places on their feet.

Electronics

Many convention companies are doing away with observer bands to allow for more participants at the venue (and because of pandemic protocols).  Because of these restrictions, you might not be allowed in the convention classrooms at your next event.  Assuming your dancer has a phone, it makes sense to pack an external battery or power bank to keep the device powered in case one of you needs to get in touch with the other.  Be sure to pack the correct cable as well!

Some venues have accessible outlets; you might bring a power strip so your dancer and his/her teammates can charge their phones (don’t forget the chargers themselves and/or USB cables).  However, you shouldn’t count on these being available, as many classes are held in partitioned ballrooms that don’t have outlets in the folding walls.  

Wrapping Up

Whatever you and your dancer decide to pack, keep in mind that venue space is typically tight.  Try to limit the amount of bags you bring (just a dance bag with the lunch box inside, ideally).  The upside to fewer bags is that it lessens the chance that something will be left behind! Write your child’s name on ALL of their belongings to make sure a wayward item finds its way back to you.

Before the convention, check with your studio owner or director for any particulars (does she disallow students to wear studio-specific clothing, will a bun be required for your daughter’s ballet class, etc.).  

Remind your child to dance from the heart, look at the instructor when he/she is talking or demonstrating, rehearse on the side even when it’s not their turn on the floor, and pick a spot that allows for a good view of the teacher AND freedom of movement (even if it’s not the front and center).  And be sure to double-check the bag before you leave!

What costuming essentials should you pack for dance competitions? Click here to find out!

Work hard, have fun! – Danielle