A social story for wearing a winter coat
A social story for wearing a winter coat: why we bundle up, the order for coat, hat and mittens, scratchy or tight feelings, and taking layers off inside.
When it is cold outside, I wear a coat, a hat and mittens to keep my body warm. Some layers may feel tight or puffy. When I come inside, I take them off.
The story
Carol Gray's 10.2 criteria describe a story that shares accurate information in a patient, reassuring voice, often from the child's point of view (Social Stories 10.2 Criteria, accessed November 13, 2026). These lines are first person.
Bundling Up
In winter, the air outside is cold.
My coat keeps my body warm. My hat keeps my ears warm.
Mittens keep my fingers warm.
First I put on my coat. Then my hat. Then my mittens.
My coat may feel puffy or tight. That is okay.
If something feels scratchy, I can tell my grown-up.
When I am warm, I can play outside longer.
When I come inside, I take off my coat, hat and mittens.
I hang them up so they are ready next time.
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Why kids fight the coat
Many children push back on coats because of how they feel: tight cuffs, scratchy tags, the puffy weight. Naming the feeling and giving a choice, like which hat or which order, helps.
Winter safety lines
KidsHealth recommends dressing kids in layers with gloves or mittens, socks and warm boots, and says kids should come in when being cold stops being fun (Cold, Ice, and Snow Safety, accessed November 13, 2026). Keep the story to the two or three lines your child needs.
Make it match your child
Name the real coat and colors. If your child does the coat flip at daycare, add that line. If tags bother them, write "We cut the tag out."
Car seat note
Puffy coats come off before car seat straps go on. If that is your routine, add: "In the car, my coat goes on top of my straps like a blanket."
More free stories arrive by email from the Social Stories list.
FAQ
What if my child refuses mittens?
Try mittens on a string, or let them pick a pair. Add "I can choose my mittens."
Should I mention snow?
Yes, if you live where it snows. Add a line about boots.
Is this for school too?
Yes. Add the school hook where the coat goes.
Sources & further reading
- Social Stories 10.2 Criteria (Carol Gray, PDF). Accessed November 13, 2026., Carol Gray Social Stories
- Cold, Ice, and Snow Safety (Nemours KidsHealth). Accessed November 13, 2026., Nemours KidsHealth
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