Free Printable Flannel Stories – Flannel stories (also called flannel board stories or flannelgraph) are a classic, hands-on storytelling tool popular in American preschools, libraries, homeschool settings, and Sunday schools. A board covered in flannel or felt holds lightweight cut-out characters and props that stick with the help of sandpaper, felt scraps, Velcro, or magnets. As the story unfolds, the pieces move around the board, making listening more interactive and memorable for young children.
These free printable flannel stories support early literacy skills such as sequencing, retelling, vocabulary building, and comprehension. They also work well for counting rhymes, color recognition, and social-emotional learning. Best of all, many high-quality free printables are available online so you can start without buying commercial sets.
What You Need to Get Started?
A simple flannel board can be made at home with a piece of cardboard or foam core covered in felt, the inside of a pizza box, a file folder, or even a magnetic cookie sheet. Print the free templates on cardstock or regular paper, color if desired, laminate for durability, cut out the pieces, and attach a small square of coarse sandpaper, felt, or the rough side of Velcro to the back. The pieces will then stick securely to the board.
Many printables also work as stick puppets, magnetic board figures, or coloring pages.
Trusted Places to Download Free Printable Flannel Stories
Here are some of the most useful and legitimate free resources currently available:
- DLTK’s Crafts for Kids offers a large collection of free printable felt board templates for classic fairy tales, nursery rhymes, Bible stories, seasonal themes, and popular children’s books such as Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, The Three Little Pigs, Gingerbread Man, Goldilocks, and many more. Templates can be printed in color or black-and-white.
Browse DLTK felt board printables - Pre-K Pages provides a free printable Jack and the Beanstalk flannel or magnetic board set designed for preschool and kindergarten retelling activities. Print the figures, laminate them, and add Velcro or magnets.
Get the free Jack and the Beanstalk set - Dr. Jean & Friends shares a simple, ready-to-use flannel board story called “The Kittens’ Mittens” that teaches colors, rhyming, and sequencing, along with clear directions for making basic boards. A downloadable version of the story is available.
Download Dr. Jean’s Kittens’ Mittens story - Teachers Pay Teachers hosts several free flannel board story printables created by educators. One popular free option is a complete Gingerbread Man printable flannel board story that includes characters and a written retelling script.
Download the free Gingerbread Man set - My Little House offers free downloadable flannelgraph pieces (black-and-white and color) for Bible stories, starting with Chapter 1 of their Bible comic series. Instructions explain how to prepare the pieces for a flannel board.
Download free Bible flannelgraph pieces
These sites provide direct access to the actual printables or clear download links. Always check the individual page for any personal-use terms.
Free Printable Flannel Stories
Tips for Using Free Printable Flannel Stories Successfully
Print on cardstock and laminate when possible so the pieces last through repeated use by little hands. Store each story set in a labeled zip bag or envelope for quick setup. Involve children in placing and moving the pieces during retelling to build engagement and oral language skills. Pair the flannel story with the original picture book for even richer literacy connections.
For group story times, larger pieces work best. For individual or small-group centers, smaller sets or magnetic versions on a cookie sheet are convenient.
Brief FAQ
Are free printable flannel stories legal to use in classrooms or libraries?
Yes, when they come from the creator’s site and are offered free for personal or educational use. Always respect any stated terms on the download page.
Can I use these with very young toddlers?
Yes. Simple counting or color stories work especially well. Supervise closely with small pieces.
What if I don’t have a flannel board?
A magnetic baking sheet, a felt-covered clipboard, or even a large piece of felt taped to a wall works in a pinch.
Free printable flannel stories remain one of the most affordable, flexible, and effective tools for early childhood storytelling across the United States. Start with one of the trusted links above, print a set this week, and watch how quickly children respond to the interactive magic of pieces that stick and move.