This post may contain affiliate links. If you click & buy something it may result in me earning commissions at no additional cost to you.
Even younger dancers need a bag to carry their dance shoes to and from class since dance shoes should never be worn outside. While they might not yet need to carry nearly as much stuff as an older, more advanced dancer, they will still need to carry some extras like an extra pair of tights or ballet slippers, extra hair ties or bobby pins, or maybe even a dance sweater or leg warmers. They will also need a place to store their street clothes while in class.
While there are lots of cute little dance bags out there for little girls, it only takes a few months of dance classes to realize that some of those cute little bags aren’t really that functional in helping to keep your little bunhead organized. We checked out a lot of smaller dance bags and came up with a list of our top three.
While deciding which bags or duffles would make it into our top three we considered several things. First of all, just because a bunhead is little, it doesn’t mean that she still doesn’t want to be organized. It’s nice to have a bag with lots of pockets and places to put extras or a place where ballet slippers or little tap shoes can be zipped into a pocket so one doesn’t inadvertently get lost. It’s also great if the bag is durable and yet still lightweight so that it isn’t so hard for a little girl to carry.
The size of the bag also has to be just right. Some cute little ballet bags are just not big enough to carry the essentials, let alone some “extras” like for when your little bunhead falls in the parking lot on the way into the studio and rips a ginormous hole in the knee of her pink ballet tights. But if the bag is too big, it will be too big and awkward for a younger dancer to carry.
In addition to being practical, we also considered whether or not the bag comes in some cute colors and prints because for these younger, little girls, it’s not only about functionality, but also fashion. When it comes to choosing a bag for your young dancer, it’s all about the details to find the bag that is just right. Take a look at our top 3 choices for the best ballet or dance bags below.
The Wildkin Kids Overnighter Duffel Bag
The Wildkin Kids Overnighter Duffel Bag is the perfect size for little bunheads. At 18″ x 9″ x 9″ it’s big enough to carry a few pairs of dance shoes and extras (like a bun kit or an extra pair of tights), but still lightweight enough for a little girl to carry. It can be carried by the handles or by a removable, padded shoulder strap.
The bag is made of a waterproof fabric that is both lightweight and durable. It has an exterior zippered pocket for easy access to anything important she wants to get quickly. It comes in 18 different colors/designs including a cute ballerina print and also a couple of sparkly glitter colors. I also love that the bottom of the bag is a darker color and so it won’t show the dirt from being set on the floor at the studio. This brand is made in the USA and offers other coordinating backpacks and even a lunch box.
Adidas Squad III Duffel Bag
It’s no surprise that an Adidas bag is on my list for top ballet bags for younger dancers given that they are really functional and well-made bags. The Squad III Duffel Bag is a smaller duffel but has loads of organizational possibilities. It has a ventilated shoe compartment that is divided along with other exterior pockets including a mesh pocket that could hold a water bottle. It also has a zip pocket for easy access on the outside.
On the inside of the main compartment, it has a zippered mesh pocket that runs the length of the bag as well as a special pocket for a cell phone or other item and a smaller mesh pocket with a zipper. It comes with an adjustable shoulder strap and the smaller handle straps can be fastened together. The velcro fastener also has a place to write your name just in case your bag gets lost.
This smaller duffel measures 20” x 11.5” and might be a little big for really young dancers, but is a great size to grow into. It also comes in a variety of colors and patterns that aren’t too childish, so it could grow with your dancer and she could use it for many years before needing a larger bag. Overall, this is a great choice and it’s all of the little details that make this bag so great for a bunhead.
Silver Lilly Womens Nylon Dance Duffel Gym Bag w/Shoe Compartment
Silver Lilly Womens Nylon Dance Duffel Gym Bag w/Shoe Compartment is another great choice for a younger dancer. It measures approximately 17.5″ x 11″x 7″ which is a good size for a younger dancer.
This bag has a built-in ventilated shoe compartment that a dancer could use for their street shoes while they are in class, or as a compartment for ballet, jazz or tap shoes. It also has a zippered pocket on the outside with a small pocket for a cell phone or brush. The bag also has a mesh pocket on the exterior for a water bottle and additional pockets on the inside of the bag for further organization.
The main compartment is spacious enough for extra shoes or clothing and also comes with a matching zippered envelope bag. This dance duffel is waterproof, durable, and has a removable, padded shoulder strap. It comes in 3 colors: black, pink, and purple.
Boost Gym Bag with Wet Pocket & Shoe Compartment
Boost Gym Bag with Wet Pocket & Shoe Compartment is a duffel bag that is great for kids as well as adult dancers. In fact, it almost made it in our Best Dance Bags for Ballet article several times. The only issue we had with it was its size. It’s just a bit too small for a serious, or older, dancer.
But, that makes this bag a perfect option for smaller dancers. The Boost duffel bag is 20″ long, 10.24″ wide and almost 10″ deep. It features a center zip compartment, a wet pouch and a separate shoe compartment. It is one of the few bags we’ve found (other than the Adidas bags) that has thousands of 5-star reviews. The color options are blue, pink, purple and gray.
