Putting together a first period kit is one of those small acts that says a lot. It tells your daughter this is a typical, healthy part of growing up, you're prepared, and there's nothing to be embarrassed about. You don't need to overthink it, but it does help to know what actually earns a spot in the kit versus what's just nice to have.

Here's how I'd build one, based on what we've learned putting together thousands of these for Australian families.

The essentials

Period protection she can actually use. Start with something reusable and comfortable, like a pair of period underwear in her size, or a reusable cloth pad if she's not ready for undies yet. Having something on hand means she's never caught without protection, which is the whole point of a kit like this.

A wet bag. If she's changing at school or at a friend's place, she needs somewhere discreet to put a used pad or a pair of underwear until she's home to wash it. This one item does a lot of heavy lifting for her confidence day to day.

A simple guide. Something that explains what's happening to her body in plain, calm language, without being clinical or scary. This is often the piece that gets skipped, but it's genuinely one of the most useful things in the kit, especially if she's not quite ready to ask every question out loud.

A cycle tracker. Even a simple paper sheet where she can mark dates helps her start to understand her own pattern. It also takes the guesswork out of "is this usual for me," which is a question almost every girl asks herself early on.

The comfort layer

A small comfort item. A hot water bottle for cramps, a soft cover for it, or even just a scrunchie tucked in, these aren't essential in the strict sense, but they're what makes a kit feel like a gift rather than a medical supply drop. First periods carry a lot of emotion. A bit of softness in the presentation goes a long way.

Something discreet for her school bag. A small pouch she can quietly slip into a backpack, separate from the bigger kit at home, means she's covered wherever she happens to be when her period starts, which is rarely convenient timing.

What to leave out

You don't need to include every product type "just in case." A kit that's overloaded can feel overwhelming rather than reassuring. Pick one or two protection options she's comfortable with, add the essentials above, and let her build out her preferences over time as she works out what actually suits her body and her routine.

If you'd rather not build one from scratch

We put together three ready-made options for exactly this reason, so you don't have to source everything separately:

• Essentials Kit ($59), one pair of period underwear, a reusable cloth pad, a wet bag, a scrunchie, a period guide and a cycle tracker sheet. This is the gentle option if her period hasn't arrived yet or you're not sure of her size.
• Deluxe Kit ($99, free shipping), three pairs of period underwear in mixed absorbencies, two reusable cloth pads, a wet bag, a hot water bottle with a plush cover, and the guide and tracker. Built for when you know her period is close and want her fully covered.
• Swim Kit ($99, free shipping), two pairs of Teen Orgaknix briefs, a pair of period bikini bottoms, two reusable cloth pads, a wet bag and the same comfort extras. For girls who don't want their period to mean sitting out of swimming.

Every kit is PFAS-free across the board and arrives gift-ready, so there's no extra wrapping to sort out if you're giving it as a present.

When to put a kit together

There's no need to wait for an exact date, since first periods don't come with much warning. A good rule of thumb is to have a kit ready once she's shown early signs of puberty, growth spurts, other changes that typically come before a first period. Having it ready in advance, tucked in a drawer or her school bag, means the day itself is just another day, not a scramble to work out what she needs.

If you're building a kit for a birthday or another milestone rather than reacting to signs, that works just as well. A lot of families like giving a kit as a considered gift a little before it's needed, so she has time to look through it, ask questions, and feel prepared rather than caught off guard.

Building your own budget version

If you'd rather source everything yourself, you don't need to spend a lot to cover the essentials. Start with one pair of period underwear or a couple of reusable cloth pads in her size, add a small wet bag, and print or write out a simple guide and tracker sheet yourself. The core of a good kit is protection, discretion and information, everything else is a bonus. You can always add comfort items and extra pairs later as you learn what she actually reaches for.

Making the moment feel right, not rushed

However you put the kit together, the goal is the same: she opens it and feels prepared instead of caught out. There's no need to make a big production of it if that's not her style, and no need to downplay it if she'd love a bit of fuss either. You know your daughter best. The kit is just the practical backbone, the conversation and the reassurance around it is what she'll actually remember.

If you're still working out when to expect her first period, our post on the signs your daughter is about to get her period is a good place to start. And if you want help with the conversation itself, we've covered that too.

Danielle x