What to put in your daughter's first period kit

A good period kit usually includes pads, panty liners, spare underwear, wipes, and a small pouch to keep everything discreet and organised.

Many families keep a larger kit at home and a smaller version for school or outings.

Pairing a period kit with a teen-friendly period tracking and educational app like luna can also help her understand her cycle or more about periods when the time comes.

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What is a period kit for girls?

A period kit for girls is a small set of essentials that helps your daughter feel prepared, calm and confident before and during her period.

It’s especially useful in the early years of menstruation, when cycles are irregular and unexpected starts are common.

A period kit can be kept at home, in a school bag, in a locker, or packed for holidays and sleepovers.

Why create a first period kit?

Creating a period kit for girls is one of the simplest ways to help your daughter feel prepared, calm and confident as she approaches her first period.

We know this because thousands of teens have asked us in the luna app how to build one, or how to ask a parent for one.

Whether you’re putting together a first period kit to keep at home, or a smaller period kit for school that she can carry in her bag every day, having the right essentials ready removes a huge amount of worry.

Many younger teens are anxious about what will happen if their period starts unexpectedly, whether they’ll be able to change a pad in time, or what to do if they leak when they’re not at home.

A well-thought-out kit takes away so much of that uncertainty and gives them a sense of control.

What does a first period kit look like?

A first period kit is usually a slightly bigger, more complete set of items your daughter can explore at home before her period starts.

What to put in a first period kit: checklist

Parents often ask what to put in a first period kit, especially when their daughter hasn’t started yet but is showing early puberty signs.

A first period kit for home can be slightly larger and more complete.

First period kit checklist

Here’s what to include in a first period kit:

• A mix of pads (daytime and nighttime absorbencies)
• Panty liners for spotting or discharge
• Period underwear (optional, but great for heavier days or overnight)
• Unscented wipes (baby wipes are totally fine!)
• Tissues
• A small washable pouch or wet bag to keep everything in
• A mini hot water bottle or stick-on heat patches

These items give your daughter familiarity and choice before her period begins, reducing anxiety when it arrives.

Add the luna app to help her track and understand her cycle

The luna app complements any period kit and is often one of the most helpful “add-ons” parents include.

luna helps your daughter to:

• Track when her period starts and ends
• Predict upcoming periods
• Log symptoms like cramps, mood changes or cravings so she knows what to expect each month and can prepare for it (she'll get personalised insights into her cycle)
• Learn what’s normal for her body
• Ask anonymous questions, answered safely and medically reviewed

Together, the period kit + luna helps teens (and their parents) feel calmer, more confident, and far less caught off guard.

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What to put in a period kit for school?

A period kit for school should be small, discreet and easy to keep in her bag every day.

This kit is about reassurance: knowing she has what she needs if her period starts unexpectedly or if she thinks she is about to leak.

Period kit for school checklist

What to include in a school period kit:

• 2-3 pads in different absorbencies (they'll need to be changed every 4-6 hours)
• 1-2 panty liners
• A spare pair of underwear
• Baby wipes (travel size)
• A small zip-lock bag which can be handy for stained underwear or in desperate measures used period products
• Hand sanitiser
• Hand cream
• Pain killers (only if allowed and if she knows how to use them)
• A small pouch to keep everything together

This helps her manage leaks, unexpected starts, and long school days confidently.

Should teens keep extra clothing in their period kit?

Extra clothing isn’t essential for school, but can be helpful at home.

For school, spare underwear is usually enough at school.

For home kits, leggings or joggers can be included but are optional.

If your daughter is into swimming, or needs to do it for school, but isn't feeling ready for tampons (which is very common), you may also want to get her period swimwear.

How can a period kit help your daughter feel more prepared?

Many teens feel stressed about not knowing when their period will arrive, especially in the first two years when cycles are unpredictable.

A period kit gives them:

• A sense of control
• Fewer worries about leaks
• Confidence in new environments (school, clubs, trips)
• Privacy and independence

A first period kit is about reassurance

You don't have to go overboard at all, particularly if you aren't sure what products she'll like to use long term, but giving her options is always a good idea so she can explore these comfortably.

The early years of menstruation are unpredictable, and teens often tell us that the fear of being “caught out” is worse than the period itself.

Being prepared helps them feel more in control of their day, even when their cycle isn’t regular yet.

And when your daughter pairs her period kit with the luna app, she has both practical tools and reliable knowledge: she knows what she’s carrying, what’s normal for her body, and when her next period is likely to begin.

That combination – preparedness plus understanding – is what builds confidence.

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A good period kit doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. It just needs to be supportive, practical and tailored to what your daughter prefers.

With the right essentials in her bag and the right information at her fingertips, she can get on with school, hobbies, and daily life without worrying about her period catching her off guard.

FAQs

What do I need for my daughter’s first period?

You’ll need pads, panty liners, spare underwear, wipes, and a small pouch so she feels prepared.

Many parents also create a simple period kit for school and home, and set them up on trusted resources like the luna app to help their daughter learn what’s normal and ask questions privately as her body changes.

What should an 11 or 12 year old use for her period?

Pads or period underwear are usually best for younger teens because they’re easy to use and low-stress.

Many families pair these with educational tools like luna, which helps teens understand their period at their own pace without feeling embarrassed or overwhelmed.

What should be in a first period kit?

A first period kit usually includes pads, panty liners, spare underwear, wipes, tissues, and a small discreet pouch.

Alongside practical items, having access to reliable guidance – such as the luna app – can help your daughter feel calmer and more informed when her period starts.

What triggers a girl’s first period?

A girl’s first period is triggered by hormonal changes during puberty, usually one to two years after breast development begins.

Because timing varies, many parents find it helpful for their daughter to use resources like luna to learn about puberty changes and track early signs without pressure.

What should I do when my daughter gets her first period?

Stay calm, reassure her that it’s normal, and help her choose a comfortable product.

Let her ask questions when she’s ready, and consider tools like luna, where teens can learn about periods and ask anonymous questions if they’re not ready to talk out loud.

How can I make my daughter’s first period feel less scary or special?

Keeping the moment calm, supportive, and judgement-free matters most.

Some families mark it quietly with comfort or reassurance, and many teens appreciate having private access to information – such as articles and expert answers in the luna app – to explore things in their own time.

What is a good gift for a girl starting her period?

A thoughtful gift could be a first period kit, period underwear, or a small pouch with essentials.

Many parents also see value in gifting access to reliable guidance, such as luna, so their daughter has ongoing support beyond products.