Free Social Story GeneratorFor Autism & Special Education

School & Transitions

• First Day of KindergartenAges 4-6 · Free printable PDFFree social story for the first day of kindergarten. Prepare your child for new routines and faces so parents and teachers can ease first-day nerves.
• Riding the School BusAges 4-9 · Free printable PDFFree social story about riding the school bus. Walks kids through every step of the ride so parents and teachers can build confidence before day one.
• Fire Drill at SchoolAges 4-10 · Free printable PDFFree printable fire drill social story (PDF). Explains the loud alarm and each step so kids stay calm — ideal for teachers and special education.
• Saying Goodbye at Drop-OffAges 3-7 · Free printable PDFFree social story for tearful drop-offs. Gives kids a predictable goodbye ritual and reassures them that grown-ups come back. Great for parents and teachers.
• Asking the Teacher for HelpAges 5-10 · Free printable PDFFree social story that teaches kids how to ask the teacher for help. Builds self-advocacy skills teachers and therapists can reinforce all year long.
• When the Schedule ChangesAges 4-10 · Free printable PDFFree social story about schedule changes and surprises. Helps kids with autism handle new plans calmly. A go-to tool for teachers, parents, and therapists.

Doctor, Dentist & Self-Care

• Going to the DentistAges 3-9 · Free printable PDFFree social story about going to the dentist. Shows kids exactly what happens in the chair so parents and therapists can turn fear into a calmer visit.
• Going to the DoctorAges 3-8 · Free printable PDFFree social story about doctor visits and check-ups. Explains each step from waiting room to stethoscope so parents can prepare anxious kids with ease.
• Getting a ShotAges 4-10 · Free printable PDFFree social story about getting a shot. Honest, reassuring words that help kids handle the quick pinch. A calming prep tool for parents and nurses alike.
• Getting a HaircutAges 3-8 · Free printable PDFFree social story about getting a haircut. Prepares kids for the cape, spray bottle, and snipping sounds. Helpful for parents of sensory-sensitive kids.
• Washing My HandsAges 3-7 · Free printable PDFFree social story that turns hand washing into simple, predictable steps. Perfect for parents, preschool teachers, and therapists building daily routines.
• Brushing My TeethAges 3-7 · Free printable PDFFree social story about brushing teeth, morning and night. Breaks the routine into easy steps parents and occupational therapists can practice together.

Home Routines

• My Bedtime RoutineAges 3-7 · Free printable PDFFree social story for bedtime routines. Walks kids from bath to lights-out in calm, predictable steps that help parents make evenings easier and quieter.
• Trying New FoodsAges 3-8 · Free printable PDFFree printable social story about trying new foods (PDF). Gentle look-smell-taste steps for parents and feeding therapists to use at mealtime.
• Using the ToiletAges 2-6 · Free printable PDFFree printable toileting social story (PDF). Simple, positive steps that make potty time predictable for kids — for parents, teachers, and therapists.
• When Screen Time Is OverAges 3-8 · Free printable PDFFree social story about ending screen time without meltdowns. Gives kids a predictable turn-off routine parents and teachers can use at home and school.
• Getting DressedAges 3-7 · Free printable PDFFree social story about getting dressed step by step. Builds morning independence for kids and gives parents and OTs a calm, repeatable daily routine.
• Moving to a New HouseAges 4-10 · Free printable PDFFree social story about moving to a new house. Reassures kids that family, toys, and love come along too. Eases a big transition for worried children.

Feelings & Coping

• Staying Calm When I Feel AngryAges 4-9 · Free printable PDFFree social story about anger and staying calm. Teaches kids safe ways to cool down, with tools parents, teachers, and counselors can practice daily.
• When I Feel WorriedAges 4-10 · Free printable PDFFree social story about worry and anxiety for kids. Names the feeling and teaches calming steps parents, teachers, and therapists can rehearse together.
• Loud Noises Hurt My EarsAges 3-9 · Free printable PDFFree social story for kids with sound sensitivity. Explains loud noises and coping tools like headphones. A must for parents of sensory-sensitive kids.
• Losing a GameAges 5-10 · Free printable PDFFree social story about losing a game gracefully. Helps kids handle big feelings and practice good-sport words parents and teachers can model at play.
• Making Mistakes Is OkayAges 4-10 · Free printable PDFFree social story about making mistakes. Builds resilience and a growth mindset, giving parents and teachers gentle words for frustrated learners.
• A New Baby in the FamilyAges 3-8 · Free printable PDFFree social story about a new baby in the family. Prepares big brothers and sisters for crying, changes, and love that stays the same. Great for parents.

Social Skills

• Sharing and Taking TurnsAges 3-7 · Free printable PDFFree social story about sharing and taking turns. Teaches waiting, turn-taking words, and patience skills parents, teachers, and therapists can practice.
• Keeping Hands to MyselfAges 3-8 · Free printable PDFFree printable keeping-hands-to-myself social story (PDF). Positive, non-shaming words that teach safe hands at school and home.
• Personal SpaceAges 4-9 · Free printable PDFFree social story about personal space. Teaches the space bubble in concrete, kid-friendly words that teachers, parents, and therapists can practice.
• Making New FriendsAges 4-10 · Free printable PDFFree printable social story about making friends (PDF). Simple scripts for saying hi and joining play that parents and teachers can rehearse.

Out in the Community

• Going to the Grocery StoreAges 3-8 · Free printable PDFFree social story about the grocery store. Prepares kids for carts, crowds, and checkout beeps so parents can turn errands into calmer outings.
• Going on an AirplaneAges 4-10 · Free printable PDFFree social story about flying on an airplane. Prepares kids for security, takeoff noise, and popping ears, helping parents plan a smoother trip.

Is the social story generator really free?

Yes. Name in a Book is run by the nonprofit Opportunity Hack, and creating, editing, and downloading social stories is completely free — no credit card, no trial, no per-story limits.

What is a social story?

A social story is a short, simple narrative written from a child's perspective that describes a situation, what to expect, and positive ways to respond. Social stories are widely used to support autistic children and students in special education through transitions, new experiences, and social skills.

Can I personalize a social story with my child's or student's name?

Yes. The story builder lets you add the child's name, family members, classmates, and even pets as characters, choose the situation and learning goals, and generate an illustrated story tailored to them.

Can I print or download the social stories?

Yes. Every example social story below has a free printable PDF you can download instantly, and stories you personalize in the builder can be downloaded as a PDF with full-color illustrations — ready to print for home, the classroom, or therapy sessions.

Who uses Name in a Book for social stories?

Special education teachers, general classroom teachers, parents, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), occupational therapists (OTs), and behavior specialists use it for IEP goal support, PBIS implementation, and social-emotional learning.