Making New Friends: A Free Social Story
For children ages 4-10 · Free to read, print, and personalize
Approaching new children on the playground takes courage and a plan, and many kids have the courage but not the plan. This story provides simple, rehearsable scripts for saying hi and joining play, plus resilience for when the answer is no. It fits well in social skills groups and summer-camp prep.
Making New Friends
Friends are people who like to play and spend time together.
Making a new friend starts with small steps.
I can smile, say, "Hi!" and tell them my name.
I can ask their name, too.
I can ask a question, like "What are you playing?" or "Do you like dinosaurs?"
If kids are already playing, I can watch for a minute and ask, "Can I play too?"
Sometimes kids say yes. Sometimes kids say no or are busy.
If someone says no, it is not the end. I can try another kid or another day.
Friends take turns talking and listening.
When my friend talks, I can listen to their words.
Friends do not have to like all the same things. Different is interesting.
Making friends takes practice, and every try helps.
I have kind things to share, and other kids are lucky to know me.
Tips for Reading This Story Together
- Role-play the scripts with stuffed animals or siblings, including the no response, so rejection is rehearsed and survivable.
- Engineer low-pressure practice: one-on-one playdates around a shared interest beat crowded playgrounds for skill-building.
- Debrief afterward with curiosity, not grades: what went well, what felt tricky, what could we try next time.
- Teach the watch-then-ask join-in move specifically; barging into a game mid-stream is the most common friendship misfire.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I help my autistic child make friends?
Concrete scripts, rehearsal, and interest-based settings do the heavy lifting: a Lego club beats an open playground. Practice the story's exact lines until they are automatic, then start with short, structured playdates. The free builder can personalize the story with your child's name and their favorite interests for realistic rehearsal.
What if my child gets rejected when they ask to play?
Prepare for it before it happens, as this story does, so a no becomes a rehearsed scenario instead of a crisis. Afterward, validate briefly and redirect to the next try: he was busy, who else looks fun? Kids who expect occasional nos keep trying, and persistence is what builds friendships.
My child talks only about their favorite topic. Will that hurt friendships?
A favorite topic is actually a friendship asset when aimed at kids who share it, so seek out those settings first. Meanwhile, practice the story's take-turns-talking skill with a simple visual, like passing an object back and forth for speaking turns. Balance grows with practice, and shared enthusiasm is where most kid friendships start.
Make This Story About Your Child
Add your child's name, family members, and favorite things — our free builder creates an illustrated, printable version of this story that is truly theirs. The story world and learning goals are already set up for you. Built by the nonprofit Opportunity Hack, always free.
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