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A social story for a sleepover

A social story for a sleepover: pack a bag, arrive and say goodbye, follow the host family's rules, sleep in a new bed, and call home if you need to.

Social StoriesUpdated
3 min read

A sleepover means spending the night at a friend's or relative's house. I pack my things, follow their family's rules, sleep in a different bed, and go home in the morning.

The sleepover story

Carol Gray's 10.2 criteria call for stories that describe a situation in a helpful, reassuring way (Social Stories 10.2 Criteria, accessed November 12, 2026). These lines are first person; swap in the real names and places.

A Night Away

I am going to sleep at my friend's house tonight.

I pack my pajamas, toothbrush, pillow and my sleep buddy.

My grown-up drives me there. We say goodbye at the door.

At my friend's house, there may be different food and different rules.

I listen to the grown-ups in that house.

At bedtime, the room may look and sound different. I can hug my sleep buddy.

If I feel worried, I can tell a grown-up there. They can call my family.

In the morning, I eat breakfast and my grown-up picks me up.

Before the night

  • Visit the house in daylight if your child has never been there.
  • Ask the host about bedtime, dinner and where your child will sleep, and put those details in the story.
  • Pack together using a short picture list.

The call-home line

Agree on a plan for a hard moment: a phone call at bedtime, or a pickup if needed. Tell your child the plan out loud. Knowing there is a way home often makes it easier to stay.

Start smaller

A "late-over," staying until bedtime and coming home in pajamas, is a good first step. Grandparents' houses often work well as a first full night.

Later stories come by email from the Social Stories list.

FAQ

What age is right for a first sleepover?

There is no set age. Readiness matters more: sleeping well in new places and telling an adult when something is wrong.

What if my child wets the bed?

Talk privately with the host, pack a discreet pull-up or a sleeping bag liner, and leave that detail out of the story the child reads with friends.

Should I tell the host about meltdowns or routines?

Yes. Share the two or three things that help most, such as a dim light or a warning before lights out.

Behind this guide

Sources & further reading

  1. Social Stories 10.2 Criteria (Carol Gray, PDF). Accessed November 12, 2026., Carol Gray Social Stories