Social Story About Losing a Game (Free & Printable)

For many children, losing a game feels unfair and enormous. They might cry, tip over the board, accuse others of cheating or refuse to play again. Children who think in black and white, including many autistic children, can feel that losing means they are bad at something or that everything has gone wrong.

This social story normalizes losing, offers a way through the disappointment and gives simple words to say. Practicing losing in low-stakes games, again and again, is what really builds the skill.

Want this story with your child’s name? Use the free personalizer below or open the full social story generator.

When I Lose a Game

My name is Finn. I like to play games with my family and friends.
1
In most games, one person wins and the others lose.
2
Sometimes I win. Sometimes I lose. This happens to everyone.
3
When I lose, I might feel sad or angry. That is okay.
4
I can take a deep breath and keep my hands calm.
5
I can say, “Good game,” or “Can we play again?”
6
If I need a break, I can tell someone and walk away for a few minutes.
7
My friends like playing with me when I stay calm. Playing together is the fun part.
8
Losing does not mean I am bad at something. I can be a good sport.
9

Why this social story helps

The story states plainly that everyone loses sometimes, which is a surprise to some children. It validates the disappointment, gives an exact script to use and offers an exit if the feeling gets too big. Separating losing from self-worth is the key message for children who take it personally.

How to use this social story

Print the story (two pages per sheet works well) or show it on a tablet.
Read it together once a day during a calm time, for at least a few days before the situation.
Read it again just before the situation happens, and keep a copy nearby as a reminder.
Swap the name and details for your child, or add real photos, so it matches their world.

What makes this a good social story

This story follows the social story approach described by Carol Gray. It is written from the child’s point of view, uses short and literal sentences, and spends most of its words describing the situation and how people feel. Only a few sentences gently suggest what to do, and they use “I can” instead of “I must”. The story names a difficult feeling as normal and ends on an encouraging note, so the child links the situation with calm and confidence rather than with being told off.

Tips for parents and teachers

Let your child lose sometimes when you play, rather than always letting them win.
Model it: lose out loud and say, “Oh, I’m disappointed. Good game!”
Start with short games of chance, where losing is nobody’s fault.
Praise calm losing more than winning: “You said good game even though you were upset.”
Agree on a break plan before the game starts.

Questions to talk about after reading

Does everyone lose sometimes?
How does it feel when you lose?
What can you say at the end of a game?
What can you do if you feel too angry to keep playing?

Personalize this story

Add your child’s name and age and we will rewrite the story just for them. It’s free.