Ages 10–12
Other
Halloween
Free Halloween Social Stories
Halloween is a lot at once: an itchy costume, a dark neighborhood walk, strangers at every door, a doorbell that keeps ringing, and more candy than usual. For children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or sensory sensitivities, that much change in one night can be overwhelming. These free social stories walk through each part of the night (getting into a costume, trick-or-treating safely, and handing out candy at home) so it feels familiar before it happens. Stories are written for different ages, from preschoolers to tweens.
Ages 7–9
Health & Safety
Oliver's Trick-or-Treating Walk
6 min read
Ages 3–5
Other
Amir's Dinosaur Costume
5 min read
Ages 3–5
Other
Emma Hands Out Halloween Candy
6 min read
Ages 7–9
Other
Rohan's Halloween Trick-or-Treaters
5 min read
Ages 4–6
Health & Safety
Aisha Goes Trick-or-Treating
5 min read
Ages 3–5
Other
Handing Out Halloween Candy
6 min read
Ages 3–5
Other
My Dinosaur Halloween Costume
5 min read
Ages 3–5
Health & Safety
Trick-or-Treating with Dad
6 min readFrequently Asked Questions
Start about a week before Halloween and read the story once a day at a calm time, then again on the day itself before heading out. Repetition is what makes the night feel predictable, so short and often works better than a single long reading.
Practice wearing the costume for a few minutes at a time in the days before Halloween, and choose soft fabrics without tags or masks if smells and textures are hard. Our costume stories describe how a costume might feel and smell, and what your child can do if it gets to be too much, like taking off the hat or mask.
Yes. Every story here is free to read online and download as a printable PDF booklet, with no account needed. If you want a story starring your own child, with their name, look, costume, and neighborhood, GrowTale can create a personalized one for $2.99.
Want a personalized story for your child?
GrowTale creates custom social stories featuring your child's name, appearance, and specific situation — from $2.99 per story.
Create a Personalized Story