Apparel
Must-Have
BJJ Gi (Uniform)
The traditional jacket, pants, and belt. Most academies require a specific brand or color for kids classes — check before buying your first one.
Est. $40 – $90
Must-Have
3 itemsApparel
Must-Have
Starter Belt (White)
Usually included with the gi. Kids programs often use a separate striped-belt system to track progress between the main adult belt colors.
Est. Included or $10 – $15
Protection
Must-Have
Mouthguard
Required for sparring/rolling at most academies once contact starts. Boil-and-bite is fine for kids; replace as teeth change.
Est. $5 – $15
Recommended
4 itemsApparel
Recommended
Rash Guard
Worn under the gi (or alone for no-gi classes) to reduce mat friction and skin-to-skin contact. Moisture-wicking, quick-drying.
Est. $20 – $35
Apparel
Recommended
Grappling Shorts (No-Gi)
For no-gi classes — no belt loops or drawstrings that could get caught during a scramble.
Est. $18 – $32
Footwear
Recommended
Mat Sandals / Flip-Flops
Most academies require closed footwear off the mat and bare feet on it, for hygiene. Easy slip-on sandals for the walk between the locker room and the mat.
Est. $10 – $20
Accessories
Recommended
Ventilated Gym Bag
A gi gets sweaty fast. A bag with a separate vented compartment keeps it from stinking up the car on the ride home.
Est. $25 – $50
Optional
2 itemsProtection
Optional
Ear Guards / Headgear
Optional but common — protects against "cauliflower ear" from repeated friction against the mat and opponents during ground work.
Est. $15 – $30
Accessories
Optional
Athletic Tape
For finger and joint support — grip-heavy grappling puts real strain on young fingers. Ask your coach about proper taping technique.
Est. $6 – $12
Sideline Essentials
20 itemsFor the parents in the bleachers — because you're in that gym every weekend too.
Folding Camp Chair
A lightweight, portable chair with a carry bag. You will spend hours on sidelines — your back will thank you.
Est. $25 – $80
Insulated Tumbler
Keeps coffee hot through a two-hour game in the cold. Keep drinks cold all day in summer. A non-negotiable for any sideline parent.
Est. $20 – $45
Insulated Cooler Bag
Fits snacks, drinks, and ice packs for the whole team. Collapsible cooler bags are easy to carry and store flat in the car.
Est. $20 – $55
Fleece Stadium Blanket
For those early morning or late fall games when it drops 20 degrees by kick-off. Compact, warm, and doubles as a picnic blanket.
Est. $18 – $45
Sun Hat / Baseball Cap
A solid dad hat or wide-brim sun hat for long days in the sun. Look for UPF 50+ if you're at weekend tournaments.
Est. $15 – $40
Microfiber Sport Towel
Fast-drying and compact. Great for wiping down wet gear, drying off kids after a rainy game, or cleaning up spills at the snack table.
Est. $10 – $25
Electrolyte Drink Mix / Packets
Single-serve packets you can toss in a water bottle. Better than hauling cases of sports drinks — and easier on the sugar.
Est. $15 – $30
Portable First Aid Kit
Band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and an instant cold pack. Small enough to toss in your bag, essential when someone rolls an ankle in the last five minutes.
Est. $12 – $30
🪑
Stadium Seat Cushion
Bleachers, dugout benches, folding chairs — they are all hard after an hour. A folding, water-resistant seat cushion with back support makes a full tournament day survivable.
Est. $15 – $35
🔋
Portable Phone Charger
All-day tournaments mean hours of photos, group texts, and livestreaming to grandparents — with no outlet nearby to charge in between games. A power bank keeps you covered.
Est. $18 – $40
Wireless Earbuds (AirPods or similar)
Catch up on a podcast, take a call, or just tune into the game — wireless earbuds keep your hands free while everyone else fumbles with a cord.
Est. $30 – $250
All-Terrain Utility Wagon
Heavy-duty collapsible wagon with wide wheels for hauling chairs, coolers, and gear bags across thick grass or mud at complex venues.
Est. $80 – $150
Personal Weather Pod Tent
Enclosed pop-up tent to stay dry and warm during freezing rain, wind, or extreme cold at early morning or late fall games.
Est. $70 – $180
Rechargeable Heated Stadium Cushion
USB-powered padded seat with back support that hooks onto metal bleachers or lawn chairs to keep parents warm during long tournament days.
Est. $45 – $90
Handheld Battery Misting Fan
Rechargeable cooling fan with water mist attachment to protect young athletes and parents from overheating during summer tournaments.
Est. $20 – $40
Waterproof Car Seat Sweat Cover
Machine-washable, towel-style seat protector designed to prevent sweat, mud, and turf pellets from ruining car upholstery after games.
Est. $25 – $45
Multi-Compartment Snack Container
Divided snack organizer ideal for parents assigned to team snack duty or packing fuel for multi-game tournament weekends.
Est. $15 – $30
Portable Percussion Massage Gun
Compact muscle massager for warming up tight hamstrings and easing post-game quad soreness between tournament bracket rounds.
Est. $35 – $80
Heavy-Duty Portable Power Bank
Fast-charging battery pack to keep phones, video cameras, scoring apps (like GameChanger), and heating cushions powered all day.
Est. $25 – $60
🎧
Noise-Canceling Headphones
Loud gyms, packed rinks, echoey arenas — a good pair of over-ear headphones lets you dial down the noise between plays without missing your kid's turn.
Est. $40 – $200
Total Estimated Cost
$70 – $220
Based on must-have items at typical retail prices. Costs vary by brand, retailer, and whether the league supplies certain gear.
