Dance Class for 3 Year Old

[sas_mk]

I am really excited! I just signed my daughter up for a beginning dance class. I have looked at the pricing for dance classes in my area, and I didn't think we would be able to afford it. Then . . . I found a Community Ed class that is only $40 /quarter. That makes each hour-long dance class less than $4 each!!

But . . . now I need to find her some tap and ballet shoes that won't cost too much. I know that dance classes can really add up $$$$$, but I would rather save my money now and pay more when she actually "knows" what she is doing. I am just really trying to keep my family on a budget.

Do any of you have any good suggestions to find some Toddler Size 8 tap or ballet shoes??

I really appreciate any suggestions!

 

[ntink]

Payless has both tap & ballet for a reasonable price.

 

[Tinkertude]

Walmart has tap shoes. How exciting for your little dancer. I started at age 5 and it has been a big part of my appreciation of music, movies, and all forms of dance. Wish I was young enough to take hip hop, but I started tap again about 4 years ago. So at the dance studio we have 3 generations in class

 

[sas_mk]

Thanks for the ideas. For some reason I thought I would have to look at a special dance shop. Duh! I will check out Payless and WalMart.

Do you think I would have any luck finding any second hand shoes??

 

[allyphoe]

Yeah, I think you would. The consignment shops around here have had a whole heap of ballet shoes every time I've gone in, and I think a lot of 3yo kids do ballet, so are likely to have outgrown shoes. (Whereas if you needed ballet shoes for a 12yo, I think you'd have very little chance of finding outgrown but not worn-out shoes.) Heck, you might find some at Goodwill.

Our ballet studio usually has a couple pair of outgrown shoes offered on the bulletin board at any given time, too.

 

[RobinFabulous]

Thanks for the ideas. For some reason I thought I would have to look at a special dance shop. Duh! I will check out Payless and WalMart.

Do you think I would have any luck finding any second hand shoes??

Call your local dance places. Ours has a shelf of too far outgrown shoes.


You got a great price. My girls dance and for each to take a 45 minute class we pay roughly $76 per month. Thats, of course, without all the recital fees and costumes that just hit us

Our recital is next Saturday and my girls are so excited.

Special dance shops are going to be much higher.

 

[elgerber]

Payless for us too, they are very affordable. I was bummed when my dd outgrew the shoes they sell there though. She needed some jazz and ballet shoes for a musical this year, and we had to go to a dance shop. Wayyyyy more than Payless!

 

[jmac323]

I'm starting my daughter once she's completely potty trained...almost there. I was thinking you could check out eBay too!

 

[fussymonkey]

My 3 year old is just wrapping up her first year of dance, her recital is in a week. Its been a wonderful experience! I hope your dd enjoys it as much as Abby has.

I have seen shoes at target, walmart and payless, but they were every bit as expensive as at our local dance shops, and the dance shop shoes were much better quality.

 

[RobinFabulous]

My 3 year old is just wrapping up her first year of dance, her recital is in a week. Its been a wonderful experience! I hope your dd enjoys it as much as Abby has.

I have seen shoes at target, walmart and payless, but they were every bit as expensive as at our local dance shops, and the dance shop shoes were much better quality.

I paid $12 for Allie (3 then) ballet shoes, and $18 for taps from our studio, Hannah's (10 then) ballets were the same

 

[MsLeFever]

I've bought from discountdance.com which sometimes has great deals....

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I realize that cost is a major factor, but please make sure to get your child fitted properly. The cost to fix her feet later on in life will way worse! You just need to get her proper size at the dance store, then purchase them somewhere else.

 

[sas_mk]

Wow! I can't believe how clueless I was. I really appreciate all of the suggestions. It shouldn't be too hard (or too expensive) to get my little princess some shoes that will work!

Thank you!

 

[sk!mom]

Please buy her quality ballet shoes. My DD13 started dance at 3 with a recital type school and now studies ballet 12 hours a week during the school year with two ballet performances a year and does additional Summer intensives.

Proper footwear is important. The cheap shoes are slippery and really don't save much...

Payless online had ballet shoes for $16.95 and discountdance.com had canvas Sanshas (a good shoe) for $8.25 and canvas Capezios for $11.40. Canvas is definitely the preferred shoe around here.

The Capezio economy tap shoe was $15.95 on Discount Dance and the Payless shoe was $22.95. I don't have a lot of tap advice since my DD gave it up with the switch to the more serious ballet school and there is no time for it anymore but I do know that good shoes are important.

I would encourage you to pay $7 or $8 for a pair of dance tights as well. Even dancing as much as my DD does, I can buy 5 or 6 pair when school starts and they will last easily until Christmas when I will buy a few new pair for The Nutcracker and then she's normally good until summer. Your DD could probably use one pair all year. The cheap tights don't last and they don't stay up either. Whose ever dealt with the frustration of saggy panty hose? Not fun when your trying to dance.

Sorry so long but dance is a passion around here. BTW, DD is sidelined for a few weeks after a nasty fall last night in ballet class. She know has a cracked elbow and this was while wearing good shoes.

 

[RobinFabulous]

My 3 year old is just wrapping up her first year of dance, her recital is in a week. Its been a wonderful experience! I hope your dd enjoys it as much as Abby has.

I have seen shoes at target, walmart and payless, but they were every bit as expensive as at our local dance shops, and the dance shop shoes were much better quality.

What songs are they doing?

Our theme is 80's

Hannah is preforming a ballet to Happily Ever After, the love theme from the Secret Garden & Allie has ballet to Uptown Girls, and tap to The Purple People Eater

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Just wanted to second that the dance store where I buy DD's dance shoes (she's been dancing since 2), is cheaper than Walmart and Payless. And of course, they are way better made. I woudn't rule out trying a regular dance supply store.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I get my daughters at payless. I usually her leotards and tights from walmart.

She started at 3 also and is in her second year. She loved it. I am signing her and my 3yo son up for summer classes. He is totally into it but of course I can't get get the boys tie up version of tap shoes at payless so I need to check ebay.

 

[LisaNJ25]

What songs are they doing?

Our theme is 80's

Hannah is preforming a ballet to Happily Ever After, the love theme from the Secret Garden & Allie has ballet to Uptown Girls, and tap to The Purple People Eater

I would love an 80's theme show. My 4yo is doing When you wish upon a star this year

 

[Cade&BlakesMomma]

I am really excited! I just signed my daughter up for a beginning dance class. I have looked at the pricing for dance classes in my area, and I didn't think we would be able to afford it. Then . . . I found a Community Ed class that is only $40 /quarter. That makes each hour-long dance class less than $4 each!!

But . . . now I need to find her some tap and ballet shoes that won't cost too much. I know that dance classes can really add up $$$$$, but I would rather save my money now and pay more when she actually "knows" what she is doing. I am just really trying to keep my family on a budget.

Do any of you have any good suggestions to find some Toddler Size 8 tap or ballet shoes??

I really appreciate any suggestions!

My daughter is 3 and is just finishing up her first year of dance and has her recital on Friday. I got her ballet shoes on ebay for about $6 including shipping. I'm sure you could get tap shoes on ebay for cheap too.

 

[erinmomof2]

Where my daughter (4 years old) dances they do not let them in the class with the payless shoes. The instructor said they are very poor quality and that the split sole makes them inferior. We bought my DD's shoes at a dance shop for only $17. They are very good quality and the store fitted her to make sure they were the right size. Tap shoes are also not that expensive at a dance store. I would recommend finding a dance shop and checking them out, you may be surprised that they are much more affordable than you think.