Free Online Social Stories
for Children
Looking for free printable social stories to help your child navigate everyday experiences with confidence? Whether your child has autism, sensory sensitivities, or just needs extra help understanding social expectations, these are one of the most effective tools available. These simple, personalized stories use descriptive language and visuals to explain social situations in a clear and reassuring way.
What Are Social Stories?
Social stories were first developed in 1991 by Carol Gray as a tool to help children with autism understand and respond to social situations appropriately. They break down tasks, events, or settings into small, manageable steps using pictures and descriptive language. Social stories can be used to prepare children for new experiences, ease anxiety, and promote positive behavior.
By helping children visualize what will happen in a given situation, social stories act as a form of rehearsal. They can prevent meltdowns, reduce aggressive behavior, and increase cooperation by eliminating the fear of the unknown. Children who are defiant or resistant to change often respond positively to the predictability and reassurance that social stories provide.
Social Story Videos:
More recently, I have been working on a YouTube Channel called Brave Kid Adventures that I am working to post kid friendly social stories about different things that kids do for the first time or that kids struggle doing when there are sensory challenges or a diagnosis of Autism. Check it out below and be sure to like and subscribe so you don't miss any!
Free Printable Social Stories for Everyday Situations
I currently offer a collection of free printable social stories designed to support your child through common daily experiences. These stories are especially beneficial for children with autism but can be helpful for any child who needs additional support adjusting to changes or expectations.
Current Free Social Stories Include:
- Going to the Grocery Store
- Going to the Doctor
- Going to School
- Riding the Bus
- Toileting and Potty Training
Each social story is written with simple language and includes visuals to reinforce understanding. These stories can be downloaded and printed for free, making them an accessible resource for families, teachers, and therapists alike.
Benefits of Using Social Stories
The power of social stories lies in their ability to reduce anxiety and increase a child’s confidence in unfamiliar or challenging situations. By explaining what to expect and how to behave, children can better manage sensory input, understand social cues, and feel more in control.
Social stories can help with:
- Reducing temper tantrums in public
- Easing fear of new places (e.g., school, doctor, grocery store)
- Preparing for toileting and bathroom routines
- Teaching appropriate behavior
- Creating consistency for neurodivergent children
Social stories can be used as stand-alone tools or integrated into broader support strategies, such as visual schedules, PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), or therapy sessions.
How to Use Social Stories Effectively
To get the most out of your social stories, it's important to introduce them before the actual event occurs. Read the story to your child once or twice a day for a few days or weeks leading up to the situation. Use calm and consistent language and encourage your child to ask questions.
Pairing social stories with visual schedules is a powerful way to reinforce the narrative. For example, if you're preparing to go to the grocery store, use the social story first, then show a schedule of what steps will happen (drive to the store, walk inside, get items, check out, return home).
Writing Your Own Social Stories
Once you’re familiar with the format, writing your own social stories can be easy and effective. You can tailor the content to meet your child's unique needs and include specific triggers or preferences. A great way to start is by collecting real-life photos from the environment or event your child will be experiencing.
Here’s an example structure for a DIY social story:
"One day, [Child’s Name] went to the [place]. They went with [caregiver's name] and got there in a [car/bus]. When they arrived, they saw [describe environment]. There were many people, but [Child’s Name] stayed calm and quiet. If it got too loud, [he/she/they] could use headphones. When it was time to go home, they felt happy and proud for being so brave!"
Include images with each sentence for visual reinforcement. Be as descriptive as possible about sights, sounds, and social expectations. Emphasize how your child can stay calm and what actions they can take if something feels overwhelming.
Social Stories for Toileting and Potty Training
One of the most popular uses for social stories is toileting. Many children, especially those with autism, experience sensory difficulties or fear around potty training. Social stories help normalize the experience and reduce resistance.
For example, if your child has developed a fear of having a bowel movement, a personalized social story can help. Include photos of your child sitting on the potty (censored for privacy), flushing the toilet, and washing hands. Narrate the steps in a calm, positive way:
"[Child's Name] sits on the potty when they feel the urge to go. It's okay to wait a few minutes. When they go poop or pee, they feel clean and proud. They wipe, flush, and say 'Bye-bye!' to the toilet."
Reading this story daily over the course of one to two weeks can help your child become comfortable with the process. Many parents report major breakthroughs using this method—even after long periods of resistance.
A Real-Life Success Story
One mother and child I worked with used social stories to help her daughter diagnosed with autism learn how to use the bathroom independently. She wrote a custom story with pictures of her daughter in the bathroom routine—from entering the bathroom to washing hands. After just two months of reading the story daily, her daughter walked into the bathroom and used the potty on her own for the first time. This illustrates just how effective social stories can be when used consistently.
Getting a Haircut
If your child struggles with sensory sensitivities or anxiety around grooming, you’re not alone—haircuts can be especially overwhelming for children with autism. The sounds of clippers, the feeling of scissors, or even sitting still in a new environment can cause stress or meltdowns. That’s why using a haircut social story for autism can make a big difference. These supportive stories help children understand what to expect and reduce fear by breaking down the experience step-by-step. Learn how to use this powerful tool and access free resources by visiting our full guide on haircut social stories for autism.
Personal Space
A social story for personal space is a powerful tool designed to help children understand and respect boundaries in a kind and engaging way. These short, structured narratives use clear language, realistic scenarios, and visuals to teach kids about the concept of personal space—explaining that everyone has an invisible "bubble" and that getting too close can make others uncomfortable. Originally developed for children with autism, social stories are now used more broadly to promote social awareness and emotional intelligence. A personal space social story offers concrete examples of respectful behavior, such as keeping hands to oneself, asking before touching others, and giving people room. With positive themes like being a “kind friend” or a “space-respecting superhero,” these stories make learning about boundaries approachable, especially for preschoolers or children who benefit from visual structure and gentle guidance.
Lockdown Drill
As a helpful resource for parents, teachers, and caregivers, this detailed social story for lockdown drill supports children in understanding and coping with school safety procedures. It features a complete example of a child-friendly social story that explains what to expect during a lockdown drill, why it's important, and how to respond calmly. Designed especially for children with autism, anxiety, or sensory sensitivities, this tool promotes confidence, reduces fear, and encourages appropriate behavior during emergency drills.
If you haven't already, be sure to check out my ebooks, now on Amazon!
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