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Improving Sims 4: The past month, I've spent every day tinkering The Sims 4, making quality of life improvements, gameplay changes, and new difficulty settings for the game. If you'd like to learn more about my project, visit the post on Patreon where you can download it now.
By popular demand, Toddlers are now available to all Sims 4 players courtesy of The Sims Studio and EA. Toddlers have been neatly incorporated into the Sims 4 base game as though they were there from the start. They are fully animated, with skills and needs just like any other Sim, and thus fit neatly into the game as if they belonged in the first place! This time around, they have a couple more skills to level other than just walking, talking and potty. Special toddler furniture has been added to the game in order to care for and teach, so everything you need to raise them is present. Players who make a Toddler in Create-a-Sim (CAS) will find plenty of toddler clothes, facial features, and hairstyles to choose from. They even have special Toddler Traits! Let the great modding spree to add toddler clothes, toys, and furniture begin!
This guide to Toddlers in The Sims 4 will teach you everything you need to know about raising your nooboos. I'm a gameplay mechanics writer, so you won't hear about every interaction and activity. I leave discovery of those up to you, I'm focused on those that build up a skill or involve child care. Let's get started with how we can add a toddler to the game, then proceed to learning about raising them and the skill they can learn to prepare for childhood...
Toddlers can be made in Create-a-Sim, adopted, and grow up naturally from Babies.
Naturally, Sim Babies will grow up to be Toddlers before 'aging up' to Child. Additionally, you can adopt Toddlers and add them to your household. Toddlers can also be made when starting a new family in CAS, unlike babies, which are made with Woohoo. This lets you make your little one as cute as you would like them to be, and give them toddler-exclusive clothes, traits, and hair styles. Remember, if you adopt a toddler, you can click them with an adult selected to change their outfit using the 'Toddler Care' menu. Toddlers have outfits of all kinds, as you would expect. The cas.fulleditmode cheat can even be used to change the look of your Toddler. Just don't mess with their traits, as that can be buggy.
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Prepare a room for your baby to grow up in as you play the game. They'll need at least the three essentials: a toddler bed, high chair, and training potty - but you should also provide toys with which they can learn skills.
In order to care for your toddler correctly, you must own a toddler-sized bed for them to sleep in, a potty chair for potty training, and a high chair in which to feed them and give them drinks. You can find these by going into buy mode and, in sort by room, the children's room and clicking the blocks on the floor. It can also be found in sort by function > kids > and the toddler section. You'll find everything that you need to care for a toddler there, including toys that raise the five toddler skills. Blocks for movement, toys for imagination, and even a kiddie tablet computer that teaches various skills.
Reading a toddler a bedtime story gives them some skill experience in Imagination.
Naturally, you'll want to set up a bedroom for them to play in, though other items should go elsewhere in the home. The potty chair can go in the most convenient bathroom, while the high chair is in the kitchen. Where these are actually stored is up to you, it's just a suggestion. In case you get lost like I did, You always have access to flash cards that you may see mentioned in the game and will not find them in Buy Mode as far as I can tell - there's a kid's game table but you cannot use it with a Toddler. You also have access to bedtime books and the like without actually buying a bookshelf.
Carrying toddlers speeds up transit, and is the only way to get up stairs at first. However it does deprive them of some Movement Skill.
First, know that toddlers won't climb big staircases until they have the movement skill. They can get off the porch just fine, but not up a full stairwell. I've been told that is dangerous by very very smart people. Toddlers must be carried by a grown up. If you tell a toddler to go up stairs, an idle adult Sim will pick them up to take them there. This means one floor plans are a bit easier to manage time-wise, since they can get around by stumbling and crawling about the house.
Toddlers exhibit emotional extremes and will absolutely throw fits. It's more realistic if you play with full autonomy, letting the Sim kid make decisions for themselves about what interactions to play. It makes raising them a bit more challenging, for sure!
Toddlers have needs just like any other Sim, and failing to meet them by neglecting the kid will result in the social worker coming to take the baby. You don't want that, do you? Not after practically rioting for toddlers for two years ;) Taking care of them means meeting those needs when they arise. Unlike babies, toddlers have all the usual needs, though social is relabeled as 'Attention'. They don't exactly need deep conversations to be happy, just some love and affection. Here are the six toddler needs and how you go about filling them:
TRY to give your Toddler a full meal in the high chair, assuming they don't knock it off at only half full. They're called the terrible twos for a reason, but sometimes they can be adorable.
Sure the descriptions of these needs make them seem very easy to care for, however Toddlers have other plans for you. They will eat up Sims' time by throwing their food away, getting enraged and crying, all of that. It's pretty realistic. Getting them through a full meal is tough, but raising skills improves their behavior so that they stop doing these things so much. Making the Toddler smart is a rewarding endeavor especially when the parent Sims are short on time.
Toddlers have five skills in The Sims 4: Movement, Potty, Communication, Thinking, and Imagination. All of them unlock new abilities for the growing child and change the way the AI behavior works when you are playing with full autonomy. This is nice, as you can actually see the effects of them growing more mature and learning not to throw fits and food. All but one skill (potty) has an ideal mood, which boosts the experience gained while practicing.
Raising your toddler well results in bonus skill experience in childhood, and may apply a reward trait if you meet certain requirements.
In order to age up your Toddler to child manually, use a grown up to bake a cake and click it to add candles for $10. When you click a cake while the Sim is holding the Toddler, the option to 'Have X Blow Out Candles' will appear - make sure to pick the option specifically with the child's name or you'd age up the adult. Depending upon how you've done at leveling up the Toddler skills, you may get one of the following traits, along with some skill experience in an equivalent child skill. Thanks to Forum member Ninane for helping to speed up completion of this section by providing some tips.
| Toddler Skill | Leads to Child Skill: |
|---|---|
| Movement | Motor |
| Communication | Social |
| Thinking | Mental |
| Imagination | Creativity |
| Potty | None |
When your Toddler ages up to Child they will get bonus XP for equivalent childhood skills. If you had level 3 Thinking for the Sim, you would receive bonus XP that would get you to Level 1 Mental with 94% of the bar completed, so almost level 2.
Aging up requires time passing or the use of a birthday cake. Doing a good job raising your toddler gives you Happy Toddler or Top Notch Toddler
Bonus Trait: Happy Toddler - Get all Toddler Skills to level 3 to earn the Happy Toddler reward trait when the toddler grows up. The happy toddler trait increases all skill gains by 10%.I did manage to do it without Potty at 3 but they absolutely have to know how to use it by themselves, which happens at level 2. This may be a bug as getting to level 2 did not give the notice that the Toddler was awarded the trait at age up, but they got it anyway.
Bonus Trait: Top Notch Toddler - Get all Toddler Skills to max level to earn Top Notch Toddler after aging up to Child, which boosts all future skill and Career gains by 25%. The same note about Potty applies here, though it makes sense in a way given Level 2 Potty indicates they know how to do it solo.
Movement is a key skill, allowing Toddlers to get around without taking ages and stopping them from stumbling so much. They can even learn to use stairs and run around the house.
The movement skill dictates how well your toddler can get around, as well as fine motor skills for basic activities. Stacking blocks will help raise the movement skill, since it requires motor control. Learning shapes teaches Thinking. This skill will rise naturally while your child walks about, as though they were a jogging Sim learning fitness. You can use the 'Wander' action by clicking the toddler with them selected, which will accomplish about the same. This helps avoid you telling the toddler to walk around the house until they get it. This should go up naturally now and then, but some focused training doesn't hurt! Playing BlicBlock Baby on the tablet teaches the movement skill as well. The ideal mood for leveling movement skill is Energized.
Explore My Mods! Color Picker for Builders, Seasons Tuner, Dine Out Reloaded and a Gameplay Overhaul! Like other modders, I've been working to make The Sims 4 a better game. Check out my many mods here!
Toddlers can learn to communicate by talking to their parents and, of course, teddy bears and other stuffed animals.
Communication gradually allows the child stop babbling and start speaking Simlish, after which their ability to articulate their thoughts will greatly improve. They can babble to themselves to gain skill, talk to teddy bears and other stuffed creatures, and watch Toddler Videos on the tablet to level Communication. The ideal mood for leveling Communication is Happy.
Potty Training a Toddler in The Sims 4.
This is absolutely the most straightforward skill. At first, you need the parent to help - which can be accomplished easily by picking the Toddler and having them select the chair then an adult to take them. After gaining a level, they can do it by themselves. Though it should probably be focused given how long the kid sits on the potty, there isn't an ideal mood for the Potty skill other than "I need to go, NOW, or I'm doing it in my diaper and letting you deal with it!"
Learning shapes with blocks is a good way to level the Toddler's Thinking Skill. The other mode (stacking) raises Movement.
Learning shapes with an adult on the Nesting blocks should help to raise the Thinking Skill, as well as the tablet when you use the SimShape game. This is a pretty important skill, as it makes the child more reasonable and mature as they level it. Great for struggling parents! The ideal mood for leveling Thinking is Happy.
The doll house is a great way to learn the imagination skill, but so too are reading and playing with other toys. This kid got angry and decided to smash his dollhouse, but dad or mom can repair it, gaining handiness skill in the process.
Reading to your Toddler is a great way to level the imagination skill, as is simply letting them play with toys and dolls. Playing Draw with Llama on the tablet will also raise Imagination. The skill simply unlocks extra interactions for your toddler. The ideal mood for leveling the Imagination Skill is Playful.
Babies, Adopting, and Pregnancy
Toddlers and Learning to Walk, Talk, and Potty
Childhood, School and Children's Aspirations
We now have a Youtube Channel with over 50 guides in video format to go along with the huge site I've already created. Check it out and consider subscribing if you like my style.
The Sims 4 Seasons expansion now has options! Want to disable weather or make plants in season year-round? You can do so with my new Seasons Tuner Mod
The past month, I've spent every day tinkering The Sims 4, making quality of life improvements, gameplay changes, and new difficulty settings for the game. If you'd like to learn more about my project, visit the post on Patreon where you can download it now.
Cottage Living Guide! Here is my guide to new features in the Sims 4 Cottage Living Expansion
You can also find handy Cottage Living Cheats
I have much more to come, since you can actually write a few guides about this pack!
Blender has been incredibly useful in video production, so I made my own Physics and Simulation Improvement Addon that lumps a ton of unique tools into one compact interface.
Snowy Escape Cheats
Lifestyles in Snowy Escape
Climb Mt. Komorebi
Sentiments in Snowy Escape
Rock Climbing
Skiing Skill
Snowboarding Skill
I've released a guide to Sentiments in The Sims 4 & Snowy Escape.
There is a new platform tool in The Sims 4. There's also a new Sentiments system, but it'll take some time to create a guide to that. Players can also use rental lots in any world now by changing lot types of builds in manage worlds.
I've created a massive List of The Best Mods in The Sims 4 that should be very helpful to new players and those who have not yet explored modding and how much it can do for your gameplay.
New - Secrets I have a new guide to secrets in the game. If you prefer, you can also watch a video about secrets in Sims 4.
Nifty Knitting is now available. Learn all about the stuff pack on my guide page here.
NEW - Nifty Knitting CheatsNew features in the Sims 4 June 2020
The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle Guide
Eco Footprint: How it Works
Neighborhood Action Plans
How to Cheat in Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle
Civil Designer Career
Insect Farms & Bio Fuel
Fabrication Skill in Eco Lifestyle
Juice Fizzing NEW
Traits and Aspirations in DLC
Gameplay Ideas for Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle
Updated
Trait Cheats Updated
Traits List Updated
Aspirations List Updated
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This is inspired by a new series in which I start at toddler and gradually take on the major bonuses. Here's a link to the full playlist!
I now have a guide page to Tiny Living Stuff where you can learn about Murphy Beds, the new death, as well as the lot bonuses you'll receive if you manage to keep the size of your lot down with this new pack's Tiny Home Lot Type.
New I now have a guide to Making Super Sims in The Sims 4. Look for a text version within the next 72h. It won't have THAT much more info but it will help out as a checklist.
This was inspired by a series, "Let's Play a Super Sim" in which I start at toddler and gradually take on the major bonuses. Here's a link to each part for people who are interested. You can also see the Let's Play as a Playlist on Youtube.
The Sims 4 Discover University has been announced for November 15 for PC/Mac and December 17 for Xbox and Playstation 4 consoles. Click to learn more about the pack, see my summary of the livestream or read our FAQs below.
Other Guides to Discover University:
New Lot Traits: Study Spot and University Student Hang Out
New: Discover University FAQ: Gameplay Features
New Video The Sims 4 Discover University Gameplay Tips Video
More videos coming soon!
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Comments (92)
My toddler used to eat in her bed:grin
i'm updating my sims rn and i can't wait to play! i'm just waiting for pets, though..
I found that directing the parent to feed the toddler works best. Then the adult sim places the food on the highchair and goes and picks up the toddler and brings it back to the highchair. But toddlers can eat sitting on the floor or a chair/couch etc too. They will even help themselves to food if hungry enough.
Playing not so berry challenge gen 1 with no cheats. so far toddlers are happy.
My mint gen ended up having twins. What I did was have both parents take family leave when the kids are born, had the dad upgrade everything around the house in between rounds of taking care of the kids, had dad cook very large meals in the evenings, did all of the holiday activities which helped immensely with the food. Mom took extra vacation days after family leave ran out. I think harvestfest and winterfest helped a lot in that the parents couldn't work then so I had them helping the toddlers skill up and when not doing that upgrading the house or making prank calls. Since I had twins (without trying to) I had the kids talk to each other a lot.
right now the twins are level 3 on every skill and I'm gunning for level 5 on everything.
I don't have a garden, but i run to the produce stand and purchase a bunch of fruit, and you can transfer it to the toddler's inventory, and they can eat it whenever you decide.
testingcheats true
cas.fulleditmode
-Shift-click on the mailbox-
Alter Needs...
Fill Needs (Household)
testingcheats true
cas.fulleditmode
-Shift-click on the mailbox-
Alter Needs...
Fill Needs (Household)
Charmer
Clingy
Wild
FussyNOT a good idea
Toddler Cheats on the Cheats Guide
stats.set_skill_level skill_toddler_communication 5
stats.set_skill_level skill_toddler_potty 5
stats.set_skill_level skill_toddler_imagination 5
stats.set_skill_level skill_toddler_thinking 5
Potty only goes as high as level 3. Sorry.
Ctrl + shift + C
testingcheats true (in the cheat box)
cas.fulleditmode
-Shift-click on the mailbox-
Alter Needs...
Fill Needs (Household)
The time and is practically living in the house. I can't ask him to leave either as he was never invited in the first place anyone else having this problem
The Sims 4 Bug Reports