Free social story maker
Pick a situation, add your child's name, and read it together before the day.
Alex's story: When I cannot buy something
First, then...
- Wanting
- Not today
- Big feelings
- What I can do
- Feelings get smaller
- Moving on
Calm-down toolbox
- You can take three slow breaths.
- You can put the item on a wish list or take a photo of it.
- You can hold the cart.
- You can ask for a hug.
Tips for reading it
Read it together 2 to 3 times a day for several days before the event, in a calm moment (not right before it, and never as a surprise). Read it once more the morning of.
- Decide beforehand what the plan is (a list, one treat, or none) and say it before you go in.
- Keep your words short and kind: "I see you want it. Not today. You can add it to your wish list."
- Check the real details with the place or person (what will really happen, how long it takes) and edit the story to match.
Story Studio writes a draft for you to review and change. It is not medical or therapy advice. Check real details (who, where, when) and adjust anything that does not fit your child. If something about a procedure is unclear, ask the provider.
Want a story for your exact situation?
Members can describe any situation and have the story written fresh, then save, edit and print it.
All the free situations
Health
- 🦷 Going to the dentist
- 🩺 Going to the doctor
- 💉 Getting a shot or blood test
- 👓 Eye exam and glasses
- 💊 Taking medicine
- 🏥 Visiting the hospital
- 👂 Getting a hearing test
- 🗣️ Going to speech therapy
- Going to occupational therapy
- 🧲 Having an MRI or scan
- 💧 Getting drops or a nasal spray
- 🦴 Having a cast or a bandage
- 😁 Getting braces
- 🤒 Being sick at home
- 🦷 Losing a tooth
- 💅 Cutting nails
- 🧴 Putting on sunscreen
- 🧼 Washing hands
- 🌼 Getting an allergy test
- My body is changing
- 🤢 Feeling like I might throw up
School
- 🎒 First day at a new school
- 🚌 Riding the school bus
- Fire drills and loud alarms
- 📸 School picture day
- 🏫 A different teacher (substitute)
- 🥪 Eating in the school lunchroom
- 🛝 Recess and playground time
- 🔵 Circle time
- 👥 Working in a group
- Taking a test
- Doing homework
- 🎨 Messy art and sensory play
- 🏃 Gym class (P.E.)
- 🎤 School assembly
- Visiting the library
- 🚌 Going on a field trip
- 🚶 Walking in the hallway and lining up
- Asking for help at school
- Making a mistake
- 🎤 Speaking in front of the class
Social
- Making a friend
- 🎲 Joining a game
- Saying hello and goodbye
- 🫧 Personal space
- When someone teases me
- 🙏 Saying sorry
- Waiting to talk
- 🔉 Using my inside voice
Emotions
- ⛈️ Thunderstorms
- 🎆 Fireworks and loud noises
- 🎲 When I lose a game
- Saying goodbye at drop-off
- 🔀 When plans change
- 😠 When I feel angry
- 😢 When I feel sad
- 😤 When something is hard
- 🚪 When I feel left out
- When I hear no
- ⏸️ Asking for a break
- 🥹 When someone else is crying
- Calming my body
- 🌤️ After a meltdown
Family
- Visitors coming to our home
- 👶 A new baby is coming
- 📦 Moving to a new home
- Living in two homes
- ✈️ When a parent goes away for work
- 🐶 Getting a new pet
- When a pet dies
- When someone I love dies
- 🤒 When someone in my family is sick
- 🍼 Having a babysitter
- 🛌 Sleeping at someone else's house
- Getting a new family member
- 🎂 Having my birthday party
- 🎄 Holiday celebrations
- 🎃 Trick-or-treating
- 🦃 Big family meals
- 🏕️ Going to camp
Daily life
- 🚽 Using the toilet
- 🪥 Brushing teeth
- 🥦 Trying a new food
- When screen time is over
- 👕 Getting dressed
- 🛏️ Staying in my bed at night
- 🌅 My morning routine
- 🚪 Leaving the house
- 🚗 Riding in the car
- Cleaning up toys
- 🧹 Helping with chores
- 🍴 Eating at the table
- 😴 Quiet time or nap
- 🌄 When I wake up early
- 🛁 Taking a bath or shower
- 💇 Getting a haircut
Community
- Going to the grocery store
- 🍽️ Eating at a restaurant
- 🎂 Going to a birthday party
- 🔄 Waiting and taking turns
- When I cannot buy something
- 🏊 Going swimming
- ✈️ Flying on an airplane
- 🚗 A long car trip
- 🎬 Going to the movies
- 🏬 Going to a shopping mall
- 🛗 Riding an escalator or elevator
- 🚻 Using a public restroom
- 🎪 Going to a parade or festival
- 🦁 Going to the zoo
- 🏛️ Going to a museum
- 🎢 Going to an amusement park
- 🏟️ Watching a sports game
- ⚽ Joining a team sport
- 🎭 Going to a concert or show
- 💒 Going to a wedding
- Going to a funeral
- 🏨 Staying in a hotel
- 🚆 Riding a bus or train
- ⛺ Going camping
- 📮 Going to the post office or bank
Safety
Social stories are a well-known tool, developed by Carol Gray, to help children understand what to expect. They are not medical or therapy advice. Read our disclaimer.