Social Story Templates

Social Stories About Routines

Routines can be wonderfully comforting and slightly exhausting at the exact same time. Some children love knowing exactly what comes next. Others like the idea of a routine right up until the moment the routine says, “Now it is time to put on socks, brush teeth, pack your bag, and leave the house.” Suddenly everyone is negotiating with a toothbrush before breakfast.

That is where social stories can really help. They take everyday routines that can feel rushed, tricky, or emotionally quite large and turn them into calm, simple steps. This page brings together our social stories about routines to help children feel more prepared for everyday moments at home, at school, and during times when life is a little different from usual.

Routine social stories illustration

Choose from the topics below -

I love going to school. I can try to remember these things everyday.

School
is fun !!!

Morning Routine for School

morning routine school

The morning routine broken down into simple, manageable steps so children can feel prepared, organised, and in control before leaving for school.

Sometimes at bedtime when my mum tells me to go to bed, I get upset

Bedtime Routine

bedtime routine

A calming bedtime routine in a simple and predictable way.

Sometimes I feel pressure in my tummy. That's my body telling me I need to poo 

Grr!!
Grr!!

When I need to Poo

hygiene routine toilet

What to do when they feel the need to poo.

It is good to be home from school. When I come back, I can try and remember these important things

I'm tired but I must remember

When I Come Home from School

routine school

Simple after-school steps like hanging up their bag, taking off shoes, changing clothes, and washing up before having food.

We all get two sets of teeth. First, milk teeth arrive. As we grow, they fall out one by one and get replaced by permanent teeth

Losing a Tooth

hygiene routine teeth

What happens when a tooth becomes wobbly or falls out, and what to expect next.

Summer break is almost over. School is starting soon and I will go to a new class

Back to School

routine school transitions

What to expect when returning to school and how to feel prepared for the change in routine.

I love having snacks between meals, especially the ones that I like

When I Want a Snack

food routine waiting

How to recognise when they want a snack and how to ask in a calm and appropriate way.

Everybody goes potty every single day. That is why we have toilets at home, school and everywhere else

Potty Training

hygiene routine toilet

What to do when they feel the need to poo.

Sometimes in the morning, when mum wakes me up for school I feel very upset

I want to sleep some more

Getting Up in the Morning

morning routine

A calm and simple morning routine.

We brush our teeth twice a day to keep them clean and healthy. Sometimes I don't want to brush my teeth

Brushing Teeth

hygiene routine teeth

Why brushing matters and what to do step by step.

Sometimes, my tummy feels funny, and that means I am hungry.

Grrr...Grrr

When I'm hungry

food routine

What hunger feels like and what to do next.

Sometimes, when I have a long day, my body and mind can feel very tired

I feel so tired

When I am tired

feelings routine

What tiredness can feel like and what they can do when they need rest.

I'm going to visit my Grandma and Grandad

Visiting Grandparents' House

family routine social-skills

What a visit to grandparents’ house may be like.

Sometimes my Grandma and Grandad come to visit me at my house

When My Grandparents Come to Visit Me

family routine social-skills

What might happen when grandparents visit and how to feel more prepared.

Soon, we are going on a holiday

I'm feeling excited and a little worried

Preparing for a Holiday

holidays routine travel

What it means to get ready for a holiday and why planning ahead can make things feel easier.

I am going on a holiday soon, and I can try to pack my things 

I can pack my things
myself

Packing for Holiday

holidays routine travel

What packing is, why it matters, and how they can take part in a calm and helpful way.

On holidays, I might have to do things differently than I do at home

Changes on Holiday

holidays routine transitions

That things may be a little different on holiday, and that they can still cope and feel okay.

In summer, the days are long. The weather gets hot, and the sun can feel really bright

Staying Safe in Summer

routine safety summer

How to take care of themselves in summer with simple, clear reminders about staying cool and safe.

When I go outside, there are roads, cars, and places I want to explore

Look at that car!

Staying Safe When I Go Out

routine safety

Simple safety rules for going out, such as staying with an adult, noticing roads, and telling someone before going anywhere.

Sometimes an adult asks me to do a chore, like putting dishes away or taking out the rubbish

Can you help me
 please

Doing Chores at Home

independence routine

What chores are, why adults ask for them, and how they can be done one step at a time.

At my secondary school, I move from one class to another for each lesson

Getting to Class on Time

organisation routine school

How to manage moving between classes calmly and more confidently.

Every evening before the school day, I can remember to pack my schoolbag for the next day

Packing My School Bag

independence organisation routine school

Packing a school bag in simple steps so children can feel ready for the next school day.

Sometimes in school, there are many food choices at lunch and break times

I can't decide what
 to eat

Making Healthy Choices at School Lunch

food routine school

Pausing, noticing hunger, and making balanced food choices at lunchtime.

On school mornings, I can get ready on time for school and sit at the table for breakfast

Breakfast on School Mornings

morning routine school

Helps children follow a calm, structured breakfast routine and get ready for school without getting stressed

Sometimes, I forget to pack my schooI bag and bring important things that I need at school

Oh no! I forgot my diary at home

Packing My Schoolbag Every Day

morning routine school

Encourages children to use a clear, structured routine for packing their School bag the night before School so nothing is forgotten

When it's my bed time, I go to my bed every night

I can sleep with my teddy

Falling Asleep with Noise

bedtime routine sensory

Helps children feel calm and fall asleep with night-time noises by using simple coping strategies and reassurance

Sometimes, when it's bedtime, I feel scared to go to sleep

I'm scared

Getting Scared at Night

bedtime feelings routine

This social Story helps children feel safe and calm at night by managing bedtime fears with reassuring strategies and relaxing techniques

Every night, when it’s bed time, I say good night to everyone and go to bed

Good night

Staying in Bed all Night

bedtime routine

Motivates children to stay in bed all night by building understanding, reassurance, and simple strategies to return to sleep

Sometimes, at bedtime, I have trouble sleeping

I can't sleep!

Bedtime Relaxation Techniques

bedtime routine

Helps children relax at bedtime and fall asleep using simple deep breathing techniques to manage restlessness

Each week, I can make safe and kind choices

I can get rewards for my kind choices

My Safe and Kind Choices Reward

kind-words routine social-skills

Helps children understand reward systems, shopping rewards, and positive behaviour support (On-Demand Social Story)

During summertime, when it is my bedtime, there is still light outside

Going to Bed When It Is Still Light Outside

bedtime feelings routine

Helps children understand summer bedtimes, longer daylight hours, and why sleep is important

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FAQs

Routine stories often work best when they are used before things feel rushed.

  • Read the story during a calm moment - Try reading it before the routine begins, not halfway through a full-scale sock-related disagreement.
  • Use the same story regularly - Familiar words can make everyday steps feel safer and easier to follow.
  • Keep the tone light - These stories are there to support, not to lecture.
  • Celebrate the small wins - Sometimes success looks like doing the whole routine. Sometimes success looks like brushing one's teeth without needing a dramatic speech first.

These stories are helpful for autistic and neurodivergent children, and for any child who feels more confident when daily life is explained clearly and gently.

You can use these stories before a tricky part of the day, during a transition, when building independence, or when a familiar routine suddenly changes and everyone needs a little extra support.

These routine social stories can help children with:

  • mornings and bedtimes
  • school-day routines
  • toileting and hygiene
  • chores and responsibilities at home
  • changes during holidays and breaks
  • building confidence through repetition and predictability

A routine social story is a short, simple story that helps children understand what happens during an everyday activity or repeated part of the day.

Routine stories are helpful before a part of the day that often feels tricky, rushed, or emotional, such as mornings, bedtimes, toileting, or school preparation.

Yes. They can be especially helpful when routines change during holidays, school breaks, or special events.

Usually, yes. Repetition helps children become more familiar with the steps and expectations.