Every Mainline Sims Game Lets You Have Kids

All four core The Sims games support having children. Here's how family gameplay evolved:

The Sims (2000)

• Babies only (no toddler stage).
• Born via bassinet interaction; grow directly to child after 3 days.
• Limited interaction: feed, sing, play.

The Sims 2 (2004)

• Full life stages: Baby → Toddler → Child → Teen → Young Adult (University) → Adult → Elder.
• Genetics system: Inherited eyes, hair, skin, personality.
• Pregnancy gameplay: Morning sickness, due date, hospital birth (base game) or home birth (mods).
• Aspirations & memories shape child development.

The Sims 3 (2009)

• Open world: Kids attend school, ride bikes, visit friends seamlessly.
• Traits system: Up to 5 traits (some genetic, some chosen at age-up).
• Toddlers learn skills (walk, talk, potty) that boost child skills.
• Generational play: Easy multi-household management via map tags.

The Sims 4 (2014–present)

• Emotion-driven gameplay: Kids have unique emotional states (e.g., "Imaginative," "Rambunctious").
• Toddlers added in free patch (2017); robust skill tree.
• Create-a-Sim genetics: Detailed inheritance sliders.
• Expansion packs deepen family play: Parenthood (character values), Growing Together (milestones, infant stage).

Spin-Offs with Kids

• The Sims Medieval: Hero sims can have children (simplified).
• The Sims FreePlay / Mobile: Full pregnancy → toddler → preteen → teen → adult.

Bottom Line: If family gameplay is your focus, The Sims 4 with Parenthood + Growing Together offers the deepest experience; The Sims 3 remains beloved for open-world generational storytelling.