Summary

  • Modders have enhanced child gameplay in The Sims 4, offering richer interactions, activities, and skills for children to enjoy.
  • Mods like First Love, PlumKidz, and Afterschool Activities Bundles improve family dynamics and add depth to childhood experiences.
  • Players can use various mods like Kids Can Paint, Foster Family, and Education System Bundle to explore new gameplay options in The Sims 4.

Children are a core part of The Sims 4, yet the things that the player can do with them aren't as varied as one could think. The game has many strong points, but its long-time players have discovered that there are some aspects in which it could improve. For example, the children's school life and aspirations are limited to a certain degree.

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Luckily, plenty of creative players have come up with mods that solve this problem and offer richer, more realistic child gameplay. From new school interactions to updated personality traits to a larger selection of hobbies, these mods help significantly improve child gameplay in The Sims 4. Players who love the various stages of life but want this gameplay to be more fleshed-out can achieve the same, with the toddler and child stages being enhanced significantly with these child gameplay mods.

Updated on December 31, 2024, by Jenna Amore: Children in The Sims 4 often feel overlooked compared to teens and adults, but with the right mods, they can shine just as brightly. While expansion packs like Parenthood and Growing Together offer valuable additions, modders have stepped in to fill gaps and elevate the child experience even further. From interactive gameplay to skill-building activities, these mods breathe new life into childhood stages, giving young Sims more opportunities to grow, learn, and have fun. Here are the best mods to make child Sims more engaging, versatile, and central to Sims' lives.

1 First Love

Capture The Innocence Of Childhood Love

Two child Sims are talking and hugging because they're crushes with the First Love mod

The First Love mod for The Sims 4 captures the innocent magic of childhood crushes, allowing players to explore the awkward yet endearing moments of young love. With this mod, child Sims can develop crushes on each other, performing adorable interactions like confessing their feelings, sending texts, or chatting over the phone.

As their crush deepens, a hidden romance bar begins to build, accompanied by custom moodlets reflecting their excitement and nerves. Share playful moments like monkeying around or heartfelt gestures like hugging and stargazing together. This mod allows players to define young love in their game, adding a new layer of emotional depth and realism to childhood experiences.

2 In Your Safe Piggy Banks

The Perfect Place To Safely Store Simoleons

The new custom piggy bank from the In Your Safe Piggy Bank mod for children

This mod adds a charming yet functional twist to childhood finances in The Sims 4. With the In Your Safe Piggy Banks mod, children can safely store the simoleons they've earned in their piggy bank, allowing them to deposit and withdraw money as they please. There's even a playful twist — Sims with the kleptomaniac or evil trait can steal from the piggy banks, adding a layer of mischief to family life.

This heinous act of betrayal can affect the relationship between the two Sims, introducing drama and consequences to the innocent act of saving. Introduce this mod to the game to add a fun and engaging element to childhood, blending financial responsibility with a touch of unpredictability.

3 PlumKidz

New Interactions, Activities, And Moodlets For Child Sims

New activities, interactions, and moodlet buffs from the PlumKidz mod

Creators plumlace and plumbaleena have teamed up to create the PlumKidz mod, bringing fresh activities to childhood gameplay in The Sims 4. The mod introduces seven new social interactions for child Sims, such as "Start Sibling Rivalry," "Talk About Special Interest," and "Ask For Music Recommendation," adding depth to sibling relationships and friendships.

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Additionally, parents can send their kids to one of six new rabbithole after-school activities, like Soccer Practice, the Ice Cream Shop, or the Trampoline Park. These activities lead to unique moodlet buffs, including the uncomfortable "Brain Freeze" and the angry "Sibling Rivalry." Child Sims can even experience emotion buffs like Cringe Parents or Jealousy, making family interactions more relatable and nuanced.

4 Youth, Family, And Friends Activities

New Rabbithole Activities For Family Bonding And Childhood Growth

The modded options for rabbithole youth activities in The Sims 4

The Youth, Family, and Friends Activities mod introduces 40 new rabbithole activities for Sims of all ages, helping them create lasting memories with loved ones without requiring player control.

For child Sims, the mod offers 12 engaging options, such as classes, clubs, and entertainment activities like Art Class, Gymnastics, or School Dance, allowing them to explore their interests and bond with others. These activities enhance family dynamics and provide new ways for kids to grow and develop outside of the home.

5 Afterschool Activities Bundles

Classes, Teams, And Clubs For Children To Build Skills

Two new activities from the Afterschool Activity Bundles mods

For more educational afterschool activities that allow Sims to build skills, download the Afterschool Activities Bundles. Creator ilkavelle has created a combined total of 11 afterschool activities between the two bundles. Artistically inclined children can take part in extracurricular activities like Literature & Poetry Class or School Orchestra, which can be found in the first bundle.

The second bundle has activities that are geared toward students who enjoy mental skills. Take an IT Course or Technical Classes, join the Nature or Science Club, or become a part of the Speech & Debate League. Children can build related skills by participating in their activities.

6 Kids Can Paint

Create Masterpieces From A Young Age

The Sims 4 Kids Can Paint Mod Cepzid

The Sims 4 has several features that weren't available in previous titles. On the other hand, it's missing things that may seem surprising. For example, while children could paint in The Sims 3, it's not possible in TS4. This is remedied with Cepzid's Kids Can Paint mod. Children have the same access to easel sizes and picture types as adult Sims.

An image collage of toddler mods in The Sims 4
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Children can show off their painting skills and create custom artwork that their parents can sell or hang up. This is a great way to have kids help with earning money if simoleons are running low. It is a great way for children to practice their creativity, and players can live out their artsy child protégé storylines.

7 Kids Can Exercise

Fitness Fun For The Whole Family

The Kids Can Exercise mod and the new workout equipment players can use

The Kids Can Exercise mod breaks down barriers and encourages young Sims to stay active and build healthy habits. With this mod, child Sims can hit the treadmill, punch it out on the punching bag, and follow along with workout videos alongside their family. It’s a fantastic way to add realism to Sims’ fitness routines while giving kids a productive and fun hobby that promotes wellness.

While heavy equipment like workout machines and rock-climbing walls remain restricted for safety, this mod still offers plenty of opportunities for children to join in on family fitness sessions. Storytellers with child Sims will enjoy the added depth this mod brings, whether raising a budding athlete or simply fostering a fit and healthy household.

8 Functional Toy Stove

Baking Dreams Begin Here

The Functional Toy Stove mod for kids to cook with

Bring back the nostalgia of The Sims 3 with the Functional Toy Stove mod, now reimagined for The Sims 4. This adorable addition allows child Sims to bake their own cupcakes, choosing from nine delightful flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet. Whether they succeed with a sweet treat or end up with a charred cupcake, this mod captures the charm of childhood experimentation.

The stove is available in eight fun colors and costs just 100 simoleons in build/buy mode, making it an affordable and engaging addition to any family home. Perfect for storytelling, this mod is ideal for young Sims who dream of a culinary career or simply enjoy indulging their inner pastry chef.

9 Functional Lemonade Stand And Table Bake Sale

Earn Spending Money As A Kid

The Sims 4 Functional Lemonade Stand For Children Mod

Children in The Sims 4 have limited after-school activities outside school clubs and the Scouts. They are also unable to get part-time jobs if players want them to have their own money. In reality, running lemonade stands or selling baked goods are things that kids do all the time.

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With the Functional Lemonade Stand And Table Bake Sale mod, kids can tend a stand to sell lemonade or baked goods to Sims on the lot. The stand can be tended by either adults or children. Each stand has a list of flavors depending on what they sell. Children can run their own business and get some extra simoleons for the household.

10 Chores

Create A Chore Schedule

The Sims 4 Child Washing Dishes
  • Created by LittleMsSam
  • Requires: The Sims 4: Parenthood
  • Download Here (Curseforge)

Children need a lot of time for learning, playing, and making friends but sometimes they have to do things they may not find as fun. Household chores are part of life regardless of age, but they are a good way to teach responsibility and help parents with some household tasks. Players with Parenthood can have their parent Sims tell their kids to do things like clean up, make the table, or do their homework.

Having to physically command Sims to do this every time can get tiresome, but the Chores mod reinforces children to do chores autonomously using a schedule. Sims can set a chore schedule using the Family Bulletin Board from Parenthood. They can assign cleaning duty hours or days ahead of time with the mod.