Summary
Childhood aspirations inThe Sims 4provide young Sims with specific goals that help them build various skill sets and explore the depth of different DLC packs. These aspirations can be chosenin Create-A-Sim or the aspiration paneland involve completing a series of goals to earn satisfaction points and working towards fulfilling their aspirations. Upon completion, Sims are rewarded with a unique trait that benefits them in various ways.
Childhood aspirations, which can only be completed during the childhood life stage, consist of three milestones and six to seven different goals. The popularity and effectiveness of an aspiration are subjective, as some children may thrive more with creative goals, while others might excel with physical or mental challenges. Explore the eight childhood aspirations inThe Sims 4and their ranking based on their difficulty, the balance of skill development they offer, and the usefulness of the reward traits they provide.
8Slumber Party Animal
Reward Trait: Practiced Host
TheSlumber Party Animalaspiration from theGrowing Togetherexpansion pack is a fun and lively goal for children who love to be the center of attention at social events, specifically slumber parties. Completing this aspiration gives Sims thePracticed Hostreward trait, which guarantees their success at friendly and funny interactions during parties. The aspiration involves several goals involvingattending and throwing slumber parties, building a variety of skills, and completing specific friendly interactions.
However, it ranks the lowest on this list due to its demanding requirement to develop multiple skills simultaneously and the limited usefulness of its reward trait, which only benefits Sims during events and not in their everyday interactions. While it is perfect for Sims who enjoy hosting and being social, the specificity and limited scope of the reward trait make it less appealing for a broader range of Sims.
7Social Butterfly
Reward Trait: Socially Gifted
TheSocial Butterflyaspiration is perfect for young Sims who love to socialize and make friends. Completing this aspiration grants theSocially Giftedtrait, which allows Sims tobuild adult social skills more quickly. The journey to becoming a Social Butterfly involves meeting new Sims, making friends, and mastering the social skill.
While this aspiration is ideal for Sims focused on building social skills and forming friendships, it doesn’t rank as high because it only addresses one aspect of a child’s development. Though it could be beneficial for fostering strong social abilities, which can be helpful for completing other aspirations and upward career progression, the Social Butterfly aspiration lacks the breadth offered by aspirations. Players might consider other aspirations that encourage a more well-rounded skill set.
6Artistic Prodigy
Reward Trait: Creatively Gifted
Artistic Prodigyis a base game aspiration for child Sims with dreams of excelling in the arts. Sims who complete all three milestones from this aspiration will receive theCreatively Giftedreward trait, which helps Sims build adult creative skills — such as painting, knitting, and singing — at a quicker pace. Buy an activity table for Sims to draw pictures, a musical instrument, and some toys in order tobuild and maximize the creativity skill.
This aspiration is considered mid-tier because it offers numerous ways to boost a child’s creativity skill and ties into a wide range of adult creative skills. It is relatively straightforward to complete, making it accessible for players. Other aspirations, however, provide more comprehensive rewards and better prepare children for diverse successes in their adult lives.
5Rambunctious Scamp
Reward Trait: Physically Gifted
Designed for energetic Sims who enjoy being active and playful, theRambunctious Scampaspiration rewards Sims who complete their milestones and build their motor skills. Children who complete this aspiration will earn thePhysically Giftedtrait, allowing them to develop adult physical skills more quickly after they age up. The aspiration involves playing on the jungle gym, playing typing games on the computer, and reaching level 10 in their motor skill.
This aspiration falls in the middle of this ranking because it emphasizes the importance of physical activity fora child Sim’s health and developmentof motor skills. The reward trait can be particularly beneficial for Sims aiming to be gym enthusiasts or aspiring athletes. While important, this aspiration focuses primarily on physical activity and does not provide as broad a range of skills and experiences as some other aspirations.
4Whiz Kid
Reward Trait: Mentally Gifted
TheWhiz Kidaspiration from the base game is ideal for young Sims who aspire to be the smartest kid in school. To finish this aspiration and receive theMentally Giftedtrait, which allows Sims to develop adult mental skills quicker than the default speed, children must complete all three milestones and their goals before they age up. This can be achieved by reading, playing chess, doing homework, and doing well in school. These activities will also help children reach level 10 in their mental skill, the ultimate goal of the aspiration.
This aspiration ranks fourth because developing mental skills is crucial for academic success, university achievement, and forvarious high-income careers. The reward trait is especially advantageous for Sims aiming to excel in skills like logic, research and debate, and programming later in life. The next few aspirations, however, are better suited to prepare children for their future goals.
3Mind And Body
Reward Trait: Headstrong
Children who aim to excel in both mental and physical disciplines should consider theMind and Bodyaspiration fromThe Sims 4: Growing Togetherexpansion pack. Upon completion, this aspiration grants Sims theHeadstrongtrait, which extends the duration of focused and confident moodlets. To complete this aspiration, Sims must havecontrol of their emotionsand build their motor and mental skills.
This aspiration ranks third among all childhood aspirations because it promotes the simultaneous development of both mental and motor skills without imposing the unrealistic expectation of mastering them. Additionally, learning to ride a bike is a valuable and practical skill for the future. TheHeadstrongtrait is particularly useful, as extended Focused and Confident moodlets can significantly enhance work and school performance, making this aspiration a well-rounded choice for developing versatile and resilient Sims.
2Playtime Captain
Reward Trait: Pack Animal
ThePlaytime Captainaspiration is the thirdmulti-skill aspiration fromThe Sims 4: Growing Together, which is ideal for Sims who enjoy active play and socializing with friends. Completing this aspiration grants thePack Animaltrait, which enhances skill and relationship gains when Sims are with their friends. This aspiration aims to work on motor and social skills, make friends with other children, and ride a bike.
This aspiration ranks as the second-best childhood aspiration because it fosters the development of both social and motor skills, which are crucial for future success. ThePack Animaltrait is especially beneficial, as it not only aids in building skills but also makes it easier for Sims to form and strengthen relationships and skills in their adult lives. This balanced focus on social and physical development makes this aspiration an excellent choice for well-rounded childhood growth.
1Creative Genius
Reward Trait: Idea Person
TheCreative Geniusaspiration fromThe Sims 4: Growing Togetheris the best childhood aspiration due to its balanced focus on both creative and mental skill development. Completing this aspiration grants Sims theIdea Persontrait, which significantly improves their ability and speed at activities such as painting, writing, programming, and writing songs more efficiently than others. This trait also helps Sims quickly overcome writer’s block if they are struggling with it. The aspiration requires Sims toplay and sleep in a treehouse, achieve level six in their creativity skill, and reach level five in their mental skill.
This aspiration is the best because it fosters both creative and mental skills, laying a strong foundation for a wide range of future hobbies and careers. TheIdea Persontrait is particularly valuable, as it provides comprehensive benefits that cover multiple creative endeavors, making it an exceptional reward trait for any aspiring young Sim. TheCreative Geniusaspiration is the best for child Sims to get the most out of their formative years.
