Free Social Stories for Kids

Social stories help children understand social situations, learn appropriate behaviors, and develop emotional regulation skills. Our free printable social stories are designed to support children in navigating everyday challenges.

Download and print these social stories to use at home, in the classroom, or during therapy sessions.

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Safe hands visual free printable PDF for kids, parents and teachers

Safe Hands Visual Poster for Kids | Free Printable PDF | The Catbears

Free printable safe hands visual for kids - hang it on the wall, point to it when it matters. Designed for parents, teachers and therapists. Download instantly.

NEW
Calm down corner printables free PDF for kids, parents and teachers

Calm Down Corner Printables for Kids | Free Printable PDF | The Catbears

Free calm down corner printables for kids. Create a visual self regulation space with simple printable tools for home, classroom, therapy and counseling settings.

No hitting social story PDF free printable for kids

No Hitting Social Story PDF Free Printable | Catbears

Free no hitting social story PDF for young children. A simple visual story that helps kids keep hands to themselves and handle big feelings safely.

Feelings chart for kids PDF free printable

Feelings Chart for Kids PDF Free Printable | Catbears

Free feelings chart for kids PDF. A visual keyboard that helps children name emotions, show how big the feeling is, and practice the Pause to Relax skill.

Social story about anger and disappointment for kids - free printable PDF

Free Social Story About Anger & Disappointment for Kids (PDF) | Catbears

Free social story about anger and disappointment for kids. Shows what happens when a child doesn't get what they want, and how friends help. Teaches emotional regulation, calming down, and coping with big feelings.

Preview of Daddy Ga-Ga: A collaborative family story about breaking the yelling cycle

How to Stop Yelling at Your Kids (2026) | Daddy Ga Ga Parenting Story | Catbears

A short illustrated parenting story that helps parents stop yelling, understand disrespectful behavior, and rebuild trust without fear. Printable PDF.

Feelings wheel printable PDF free for kids, parents, teachers and therapists

Feelings Wheel Printable PDF for Kids | The Catbears

Free printable feelings wheel PDF for kids, parents, and therapists. Help children identify and express emotions with our emotion wheel — perfect for home, classroom, and therapy. Download instantly.

visual schedule autism and first then board - free printable PDF - The Catbears

Free Visual Schedule for Autism PDF | Good & Fun Routine Planner | Catbears

Download our free printable visual schedule for autism. This 5-step 'Good & Fun' routine planner helps children with ASD and ADHD manage transitions, reduce meltdowns, and build daily independence.

Anger iceberg printable PDF free for kids, parents and teachers

Anger Iceberg Printable PDF for Kids | The Catbears

Help children understand what's really behind their anger. Free anger iceberg printable PDF — perfect for parents, teachers and therapists. Download instantly.

Personal space social story PDF free printable - child learning body language signs for boundaries

Personal Space Social Story PDF Free Printable for Kids | Catbears

Free personal space social story PDF for kids with autism. Printable visual support that teaches children to recognize body language signs for when to be close and when to give space.

The Catbears Philosophy: What Makes Our Social Stories Different

Our free printable social stories for kids are built on a unique approach that sets them apart from traditional social stories.

Cat and Bear characters from The Catbears social stories - expressive illustrated animal characters children love

Kids Love the Catbears Characters

Our illustrations are professionally drawn with expressive animal characters that children fall in love with at first sight. Unlike many social stories with impersonal, diagram-like illustrations, our artwork focuses on emotions and expressions through Cat and Bear, characters kids genuinely care about. This connection matters: when children love the characters, they engage, listen, and learn.

Social story guide for parents and teachers showing educational tips and strategies for using social stories with children

We Give Guidance

At the end of each social story, we include a letter for grownups explaining how to use the story. These guides bring scientific and educational insights, coping strategies for adults, and practical tips on how to help your children learn and grow from challenging situations.

Teacher using The Catbears social story in classroom with children - demonstrating practical social emotional learning activities

Practice Over Perfection

Our personal space social story and other stories acknowledge that learning social skills is practice, not perfection. We create space for imperfection and trust that children want to do well, helping them work through conflicts naturally.

Collection of free printable social stories for kids spread on desk - featuring anger iceberg, feelings chart, personal space, and no hitting social stories by The Catbears

Real Moments, Real Growth

Each social story PDF connects small moments to bigger growth. We don't just describe situations—we help children understand why practicing these skills matters, building emotional regulation and social understanding that lasts.

What are Social Stories?

Social stories are short narratives that describe social situations, skills, or concepts in a clear and structured way. They help children understand what to expect in different situations and how to respond appropriately.

Created by Carol Gray, social stories have become a valuable tool for parents, educators, and therapists working with children who need support with social understanding and emotional regulation.

About The Catbears Social Stories

Our social stories are designed with the Catbears characters—Cat and Bear—who model positive social interactions and problem-solving. Each story addresses common social situations that children encounter, providing clear guidance and examples.

All our social stories are free to download and use. They can be printed, shared digitally, or used as part of a larger social-emotional learning program.

How Our Social Stories Help

Clear Visual Structure

Each story uses simple language and visual elements to make social concepts easy to understand.

Practical Examples

Stories include real-world scenarios that children can relate to and apply in their daily lives.

Positive Modeling

Cat and Bear demonstrate appropriate social behaviors and problem-solving strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our social stories are designed for children ages 3-8, though they can be adapted for older children as needed. The language and concepts are kept simple and clear to support understanding.
Read the story with your child before they encounter the situation it describes. You can read it multiple times, discuss the concepts, and refer back to it when the situation arises. Some families find it helpful to read the story regularly as part of a routine.
Yes! Feel free to adapt our social stories to better fit your child's specific needs, interests, or situation. You can add photos, change names, or modify details to make them more relevant.
Yes, social stories were originally developed for children with autism and are widely used in autism support. However, they are beneficial for all children who need support with social understanding and emotional regulation.
No special training is required. Simply read the story with your child and discuss it together. The stories are designed to be straightforward and easy to use.