If you’ve ever been backstage at a dance competition, you know the chaos is real. Between quick changes, costume drama, and last-minute touch-ups, even the most seasoned dance moms can get caught off guard. While we all remember the basics—bobby pins, hairspray, water bottles—there are a few lesser-known items that can make or break your competition day.
Here are 3 unexpected dance competition essentials every dance mom should keep in their bag of tricks:
Imagine your dancer’s shoe strap breaks moments before going on stage—or worse, one shoe mysteriously disappears (it happens more often than you think!). Having an extra pair of jazz, lyrical, or half-sole shoes in their dance bag is an absolute game changer. Whether it’s for a shoe emergency or just a more comfortable option on competition day, backup shoes offer peace of mind.
Pro Tip: Keep them labeled and packed in a mesh bag so they’re easy to find when you need them most.
Wrinkles don’t win awards. Costumes get crumpled in transit, and there’s often no iron in sight at competition venues. A mini travel steamer is lightweight, portable, and heats up fast—perfect for smoothing out tulle, sequins, and delicate fabrics without the risk of damage.
Bonus: It works wonders on tights and warm-up jackets, too. Your dancer will step on stage looking polished and performance-ready.
Wardrobe malfunctions are every dance mom’s nightmare. Be ready for anything with a survival kit that includes:
One ripped seam or broken strap can send everyone into panic mode—unless you’re the mom with the fix-it kit. (That’s you now.)
Keep all these essentials in a dedicated “Dance Mom Emergency Bag” that you bring to every comp. You’ll be the backstage hero more than once—and trust us, the other moms will thank you!
Final Thoughts:
Being overprepared is kind of our thing, right? These unexpected must-haves are small investments that can save you from big headaches on comp day. Add them to your packing list now—you’ll thank yourself later!
Want links to these must-haves? Check out the Dance Competition Essentials collection on my ShopMy storefront for everything I personally recommend.
