Nothing for Sims to do!

I think you need to explore the game more because there is absolutely a ton of things for Sims to do. There's a movie theatre in Growing Together, you can also build your own movie theatres with movie hangout and custom lot venues from adventure awaits. Kids can already help with cooking by using the Cooking Together feature. Sims can do homework faster by earning specific gameplay rewards. There's tons to do in towns that they have added in. Sounds to me like you just haven't explored fully what things you can do. You can make playgrounds, dog parks, cat parks, you can send Sims to do winter themed sports with Snowy Escape, explore the jungle in Jungle Adventures and find treasures. You can send Sims on trail walks in multiple packs. Your Sims can order French fries at Cafes and Bars, there are rideable boats in Island Living and Adventure Awaits. You can set up vacation days for familiy outings in the calender, have picnics in the park. You can reduce grieving time by sending Sims to grief councelling or by doing things that can reduce the grieving time. You actually have to do these things yourself and not just expect the game to do it all for you.