Latest from Dance Mom Central

Tips, tools, and encouragement for dance moms navigating competition life

		[{"id":4847,"link":"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/what-is-a-dance-photography-ambassador-program\/","name":"what-is-a-dance-photography-ambassador-program","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dance-Photography.png","alt":"Dance photography Photo of a dancer on pointe"},"title":"What Is a Dance Photography Ambassador Program?","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"dancemom","link":"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/author\/dancemom\/"},"date":"Jan 25, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-01-25 17:08:51","modifiedDate":"2026-01-25 12:08:55","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-01-25 17:08:55","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/category\/blog\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Blog<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/category\/blog\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Blog<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":4},"status":"publish","content":"A dance photography ambassador program is a collaborative opportunity between a professional dance photographer and a group of selected dancers. These programs are designed to"},{"id":4741,"link":"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/dancer-recovery-5-signs-your-dancer-needs-rest-not-more-training\/","name":"dancer-recovery-5-signs-your-dancer-needs-rest-not-more-training","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-19-at-12.33.28-PM.png","alt":"Young dancer sitting on the studio floor stretching after practice, illustrating the importance of dancer recovery and rest."},"title":"Dancer Recovery: 5 Signs Your Dancer Needs Rest, Not More Training","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"dancemom","link":"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/author\/dancemom\/"},"date":"Jan 19, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-01-19 17:45:32","modifiedDate":"2026-01-19 12:47:03","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-01-19 17:47:03","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/category\/blog\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Blog<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/category\/blog\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Blog<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":9},"status":"publish","content":"As dance moms, we\u2019re often taught that more is the answer. More classes. More conditioning. More rehearsals.But sometimes, more training isn\u2019t what helps a dancer"},{"id":4646,"link":"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/dance-team-gift-ideas\/","name":"dance-team-gift-ideas","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dance-Team-Gift-Ideas-DIY-Affordable-Gifts-for-Dancers-scaled.png","alt":"Photo of Dance Gift Ideas"},"title":"Dance Team Gift Ideas: DIY & Affordable Gifts for Dancers","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"dancemom","link":"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/author\/dancemom\/"},"date":"Jan 10, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-01-10 20:28:16","modifiedDate":"2026-01-10 15:28:21","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-01-10 20:28:21","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/category\/blog\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Blog<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/category\/blog\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Blog<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":41},"status":"publish","content":"A new dance season is the perfect time to celebrate teamwork, friendships, and fresh goals. Whether you\u2019re shopping for your own dancer, planning big &"},{"id":4530,"link":"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/dancer-hair-buns-easy-competition-hairstyles\/","name":"dancer-hair-buns-easy-competition-hairstyles","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-28-at-9.09.08-AM-e1766931829985.png","alt":""},"title":"Dancer Hair Buns: Easy Competition Hairstyles","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"dancemom","link":"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/author\/dancemom\/"},"date":"Dec 28, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-12-28 14:10:30","modifiedDate":"2025-12-29 20:57:21","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-12-30 01:57:21","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/category\/blog\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Blog<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/category\/blog\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Blog<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/tag\/competition-dance-hair\/' rel='post_tag'>competition dance hair<\/a><a href='https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/tag\/dance-bun-tutorial\/' rel='post_tag'>dance bun tutorial<\/a><a href='https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/tag\/dancer-hair-buns\/' rel='post_tag'>dancer hair buns<\/a><a href='https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/tag\/high-ballerina-bun\/' rel='post_tag'>high ballerina bun<\/a><a href='https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/tag\/kids-dance-hair\/' rel='post_tag'>kids dance hair<\/a><a href='https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/tag\/low-ponytail-dance\/' rel='post_tag'>low ponytail dance<\/a><a href='https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/tag\/recital-hair-ideas\/' rel='post_tag'>recital hair ideas<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":29},"status":"publish","content":"Ok mamas\u2014you\u2019ve been challenged!Competition day is here. Costumes? \u2705 Makeup? \u2705Now it\u2019s time to tackle dancer hair buns. Getting your dancer comp ready means creating"},{"id":4341,"link":"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/dance-mom-check-ins-every-mom-should-do\/","name":"dance-mom-check-ins-every-mom-should-do","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DanceMomDaughter.png","alt":"A photo of a mother and daughter"},"title":"Dance Mom Check-Ins Every Mom Should Do This Season","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"dancemom","link":"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/author\/dancemom\/"},"date":"Nov 24, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-11-24 22:46:12","modifiedDate":"2025-11-24 17:46:18","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-11-24 22:46:18","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/category\/blog\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Blog<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/category\/blog\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Blog<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/tag\/dance-mom-tips\/' rel='post_tag'>dance mom tips<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":15},"status":"publish","content":"We\u2019re about three months into the new dance season, and by now you and your dancer are probably deep in the madness. Between classes, rehearsals,"},{"id":4149,"link":"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/how-to-wash-your-dance-costume-tips-and-tricks\/","name":"how-to-wash-your-dance-costume-tips-and-tricks","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/How-to-wash-costume.png","alt":"Photo of How to Wash Your Costume"},"title":"How to Wash Your Dance Costume: Tips and Tricks","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"dancemom","link":"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/author\/dancemom\/"},"date":"Oct 9, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-10-09 23:02:57","modifiedDate":"2025-10-09 19:05:38","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-10-09 23:05:38","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/category\/uncategorized\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Uncategorized<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/dancemomcentral.com\/category\/uncategorized\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Uncategorized<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":18},"status":"publish","content":"How to Wash Your Dance Costume: Tips and Tricks that will hopefully save you stress (and maybe a costume or two).\u00a0 re you staring at"}]

Dance Mom Feature Favorites

Products we personally use and recommend for competition days and beyond.

The Hulken Bag

Between costumes, shoes, snacks, and last-minute extras, competition weekends can feel like a full workout.

I switched to the Hulken Bag last season and now use both the large and the small, and it’s made competition days easier to manage.

My three takeaways:

✔️ Holds everything
✔️ Easier to maneuver than carrying multiple bags or bulky, heavy competition bags
✔️ Durable and built to carry a lot

Shop the Hulken Bag
Pop Up Tent

The Portable Changing Station

If you’re anything like me, you’ve tried the pop-up tent life.
I liked my tent… until it was time to put it away.

Getting that thing down usually meant phoning five mom friends and still ending up sweaty and frustrated 😅


That’s why I love The Portable Changing Station.

My three takeaways:

✔️ Portable and lightweight
✔️ Simple pop-up with fast, easy take-down
✔️ No wrestling, folding chaos, or extra help needed

Use Code: DMC10 for 10% off

Shop the Portable Changing Room


These products may contain affiliate links, which help support Dance Mom Central at no extra cost to you.

Free Dance Competition Weekend Planner

This planner was created by a dance mom–for dance moms–who knows how overwhelming competition season can be.

Download the Free Planner