It was love at first position! I signed my oldest daughter up for ballet when she was 2 years old because it was the only non-Mommy and Me activity available in our town. She was home with me full-time, and I wanted something to help her prepare for the separation that would come with starting preschool the following year. She has never looked back – and is obsessed with all things ballet and dance. From her bedroom to her dress-up trunk, to our afternoon dance parties and even her last birthday party, everything has a ballerina bent. As I did my research for what to get her for Christmas this year, here is the list of ballet gift ideas I came up with for the little ballerina in your life!

Ballet Gift Ideas for Traditional 4 Gift Philosophy

Most of us have heard of the simplified gift giving philosophy featuring just 4 gifts: something your child wants, needs, wears and reads. I’ve organized these ballet gift ideas for the tiny dancer in your life based on those categories… with a few new categories added to the mix! Whether you are shopping for Christmas, a birthday or a congratulatory recital gift, these are great ideas for tiny dancers from toddlers to teenagers!

Something They Want

My younger daughter is on a mission for a big girl bed. She graduated to a toddler bed earlier this year, but now, she wants a bed just like her big sister… which is, at you might guess, ballerina themed. It all began with the Snurk Ballerina Duvet cover…

She then picked out some fabulous ballerina sheets and accessories from Pottery Barn Kids. See them below, along with some additional sheet options, picks for wall decor and more!

If your daughter’s bedroom is already complete, there are always these fun ballet-themed gift ideas for practice and play!

Something They Need

All kids need back packs and lunch boxes. And tiny dancers need dance bags, water bottles, and maybe even a traveling suitcase for their costumes and recitals. We love the Ballerina line at Pottery Barn Kids – my daughter has been toting hers for two years, and they still look brand new!

Something to Wear

Your little ballerina more than likely is enrolled in dance lessons. Having never been a dancer myself, I experienced a little trial and error in outfitting my girls for dance class at first.  I quickly learned that you get what you pay for – cheap tights run after one wear, and cheap leotards fall apart in the wash. I swear by Bloch brand – the convertible tights I bought for my oldest daughter 3 years ago, my younger daughter still wears!

Something to Read

You know I’m a book lover, and my kids’ shelves are overflowing – but this is still my absolutely favorite category. I’ve split these reads for the little ballerina into two different categories: 1) complete Ballet series and 2) ballet books that are part of some of our favorite children’s literature series or standalone books.

Ballet Book Series for Kids

There are some great ballet based series for early readers out there. Angelina Ballerina is probably the most famous that nearly everyone has heard of already, but these others shouldn’t be missed.  Rachel Isadora, the author behind both the Bea and Lili series, was a professional dancer before becoming an author, and many of her books even beyond these two series incorporate dance and music. I’ve included the Christmas or Nutcracker books in the series below, where available, but most have several others as well.

Other Ballet Books for Kids

These are some other great picks that are part of other broader series and give great background on the art of ballet, as well as major figures and influences in ballet through the years – you will enjoy and learn as much from these as your little ballerina!

More Ballet Gift Ideas for Your Tiny Dancer

If you decide to go beyond the four gift categories above, I suggest adding gifts of experience or activity… things that will make a lasting impression or memory for your child or your family.

Something to Do

When my oldest was 3, another mom and I took her and her friend to see The Nutcracker.  If she wasn’t totally hooked on dance already, she was after that. They both sat on the edges of their seat and were completely captivated from start to finish. You don’t have to spend a fortune and go to Lincoln Center – check your local community theaters or children’s performances for more affordable and family-friendly ticket options.

This is a great option for grandparents looking for gift ideas. And if you really want a gift that keeps on giving, covering a few months or a year’s worth of dance tuition makes for an awesome gift too.

Alternatively, stuff their stockings with these fun ballet gift idea activity books!

Something to Make

Preserve the memory of their first recital by turning their first pair of shoes into this precious keepsake! Make it together, and hang it up in their room for more fun ballerina-themed decor.  You can see the full how-to for these DIY First Ballet Keepsake here.

Something for Me

For me, as the parent that is… set aside a some funds for you to remember their ballet moments this year. Maybe it’s for professional photos at their recital or to buy the DVD of the recital. Or one of our favorite family traditions is choosing ornaments as keepsakes for our tree every year. What better way to celebrate your little ballerina’s favorite hobby than choosing an ornament that celebrates it!

What’s on your little ballerina’s Christmas wish list? Hopefully these ballet gift ideas help you make their Christmas extra special! You can find this post and endless inspiration for holiday gift giving on our Gift Ideas board on Pinterest!

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