Social Stories for Kids

A social story describes what is going to happen, in the order it will happen, without telling a child how they ought to feel about it. It works by removing the unknown part rather than by reassuring: a child who already knows the chair leans back and someone counts their teeth out loud has far less left to invent.

Every story below is free to read, with no account and nothing to install. And when the child walking into the room should be your child rather than a stand-in, ZTales writes the same story with their name in it, in about thirty seconds.

Something is coming up

The ones a social story is classically for. Read a few nights running before the day itself, not on the morning of.

Going to the DentistThe chair, the bright light, and how boring the counting really is.Going to the DoctorHonest about the quick sharp second, calm about everything else.Getting a HaircutThe snip by the ear, the itchy collar, and nobody asking first.Starting PreschoolFirst day nerves: the hooks, the rug, and going home at the end.Starting KindergartenThe lunchbox lid, which bus is yours, and where the toilets are.Starting DaycareA day with three parts, so the middle stops being endless.A First SleepoverWanting to go and wanting to come home, both at once.Sleeping Somewhere NewA big white hotel room, a star nightlight, and the same song as home.Moving From a Crib to a Big Kid BedThe crib goes, the rocket sheets arrive, and the bedtime song stays.Getting GlassesBeing looked at, and a world that has suddenly got far too sharp.Flying on a PlaneThe belt, the tunnel, the backwards bit nobody warns you about.A New BabysitterA stranger who doesn’t know the rules, and the key in the door after.A BirthdayThe hardest bedtime of the year: the night before.Trick or TreatingThe knock, the wait, and the doors that don’t open.A Big Family GatheringThe hugs, the noise, the cousins, and the quiet back room.A Night at Grandma’s HouseA different bed, a ticking clock, and pickup exactly when promised.A Hospital StayThe name bracelet, the bed with buttons, and the light that stays on.A Fire DrillThe loud bell, the line, the tree outside, and back to the painting.Swimming LessonsFeet in first, then bubbles, then floating on your back.Going to the MoviesThe big dark room, the loud sound, and stepping out is allowed.A Bandage After SurgeryA little roof over the spot while it heals, and what to say.

Something is changing

Slower than an appointment, and usually needing the same story more than once.

A New Baby SiblingA new baby is coming, and they’re not sure there’s still room for them.Moving to a New HouseWhat comes with us? Counting the things that travel.Potty TrainingNo pressure, no big celebration. Accidents are just Tuesday.Giving Up the PacifierA real loss. They’re allowed to mind, and the first night is longest.Giving Up the BottleA purple rabbit cup, warm milk, and the same cuddle as always.Sleeping in Your Own BedMaking their own room somewhere good, not somewhere they have to be.Dropping the NapNo nap today, a quiet time basket, and a long sleep all night.A Bedtime Story About Waking Up Too EarlyThe light is still orange, so Bear and the truck book come first.Losing a First ToothWobbly, exciting, and a bit alarming. It comes out when it’s ready.Getting a New PetBeing the calm one while something small decides to trust you.Trying New FoodsNobody eats anything. That’s the point: curiosity, not compliance.Learning to Ride a BikeThe wobble isn’t failing. It’s what balance feels like from inside.Turning Off the TabletScreens are built without an ending. This is about making one.When the Clocks ChangeThe hour that moved, and why bedtime feels wrong this week.Brushing TeethUpstairs teeth, downstairs teeth, count, spit, done.The Morning RoutineThe Morning Train: same stops, same order, no fights about socks.A Social Story About Cleaning Up ToysWhere does the dinosaur sleep? In the green box, with the others.Keeping Hands to YourselfSqueeze, press, pockets, and then the words.Bath Time and Hair WashingThree cups and done: a bath with a clear finish.Personal SpaceThe invisible bubble everyone carries, and asking first.Waiting Your TurnWhat to do with your feet while the swing is taken.Two HomesTwo front doors, one red bag, and the things that always travel.A New StepparentNobody is replacing anybody. Burned pancakes and plenty of time.BitingTeeth are for food. A chewy ring, and a word to use instead.TransitionsFive more minutes, the tomato timer, and a castle that waits.Winning and LosingThe biggest snake on the board, one breath, and “good game”.An Inside VoiceA volume dial from one to four, turned down with a finger.ListeningStop, look, listen, do. One step at a time.A Story About BedwettingLots of kids do. Spare pajamas on the chair, and nobody cross.A Parent Going Back to WorkTwo hugs, one nose kiss, and the car back at five.Starting a New SchoolStarting in February, when everyone already knows each other.Naptime at DaycareThe cot, the blanket from home, and you only have to rest.

Something is frightening

Here the story describes the fear plainly rather than arguing with it, which is the part that works.

Being Scared of the DarkThe lamp goes off and the room gets bigger. No monsters in these.ThunderstormsCounting the gap, and hearing the storm move off somewhere else.Kids Who Have NightmaresFor the moment after waking, when the dream is over and the night isn’t.A Not Scary Story About Monsters Under the BedA scratchy noise, the big light on, and the whole monster is a cat.A Bedtime Story About Waking Up at NightNightlight, Bunny, blanket, three slow breaths, and back to sleep.Separation AnxietyFor the child whose real question is “are you coming back?”A Parent Going AwayCounting the sleeps down, and who the last light is for.Making FriendsHow a shy child actually gets into the game. Sideways, not by saying hello.Loud NoisesSay what it is, cover your ears, count. Every loud sound stops.A Military DeploymentA paper chain, a recorded bedtime story, and a T-shirt that smells like Mom.

Something has happened

These are accompaniment, not preparation. Nobody is being fixed.

When a Pet DiesPlain words, no tidying it away. Sad, and not on their own.A Lost ToyThe worry isn’t being without it. It’s that it’s out there on its own.Missing GrandparentsThe green chair is still there when nobody’s looking at it.Big Feelings and AngerThe night after a hard day. Nobody gets a lecture at bedtime.A Bedtime Story About Feeling JealousA shiny red bike, a hot tight feeling, and saying it out loud.A Bedtime Story About Feeling Left OutA hopscotch game, a lonely bench, and a new friend on the swings.A Bedtime Story About DisappointmentA rained-out beach day, big tears, and a river in the mud.A Bedtime Story for a Sick DayA couch nest, soup and a bendy straw, and getting better little by little.Saying SorryFor the child who feels worst and can’t make their mouth do it.DivorceThe big news, and the two true things: not your fault, still loved.A Cast or Broken ArmThe X-ray, the green cast, nineteen names, and the buzzing saw.

Everything else

Other moments a story helps with.

Anxious KidsFor the child whose worries all arrive the moment the light goes off.Riding the School BusWhich bus is mine, where do I sit, what if it goes past my stop.Siblings Who FightRead to both at once. Neither of them is the villain.

Questions parents ask

What is a social story?

A short story that describes what is going to happen, in the order it will happen, without telling a child how they ought to feel about it. It works by removing the unknown part rather than by reassuring: a child who already knows the chair leans back and someone counts out loud has far less left to invent. They are widely used with autistic children and children with anxiety, and they work perfectly well for any child facing something new.

When should I read one?

A few nights before, more than once, rather than on the morning of. Familiarity is the active ingredient, so re-reading the same story beats finding a new one. Bedtime happens to be a good slot for this: nothing is imminent, nobody is rushing, and the information has time to settle.

Do these follow Carol Gray’s Social Stories method?

No, and we do not claim to. Carol Gray’s Social Stories™ is a specific method with its own criteria and training. These are stories written to the same underlying idea (describe what will happen, in order, honestly), and they are not a substitute for guidance from your child’s therapist, teacher or paediatrician.

Can the story have my child’s name in it?

Yes, and for this purpose it matters more than usual. Rehearsal works better when the person walking into the room is them rather than a stand-in. Every story here can be made again with your child’s name, age and description, free, in about thirty seconds.

Can I print these social stories?

Yes. Every story has a free printable PDF, one sheet, white paper, no account needed. On most of the social stories the top of the sheet is the steps in order, numbered, and the bedtime story about it is underneath. Print as many as you like, for home, a classroom or a therapy session.

Are these free?

Every story on these pages is free to read with no account, no card and nothing to install. Making a personalized one is also free. A paid plan adds illustrations on every page, narration read aloud and longer stories.

Want the story to star your own child, with their name, their age, what they look like? Make one free, or browse every bedtime story we have.