Free Social Stories for the Playground
The playground and recess can be the most unstructured — and therefore most overwhelming — part of a child's day. With no clear rules, open-ended social interaction, and sensory stimulation everywhere, children with autism, ADHD, or anxiety often struggle. Social stories help by providing a framework for playground interactions: how to join a game, wait for the swings, or handle a disagreement.
Stories for this topic are coming soon.
Browse all free storiesFrequently Asked Questions
Recess is unstructured time with few rules, many children, and unpredictable interactions — the opposite of what children with autism need. They may not know how to join a group, when to wait for a turn, or how to respond to teasing. Social stories provide scripts for these common scenarios.
Yes. Social stories can teach specific friendship skills like asking "Can I play?", suggesting a game, or inviting someone to swing together. These scripts give children with social communication differences a starting point for interactions they might otherwise avoid.
GrowTale covers taking turns on swings and slides, joining a group game, handling disagreements, asking for help from a teacher, playing alone (and that being okay), and more. You can also create a personalized story about your child's specific playground.
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.
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