Pack Suggestion: Homeschool Expansion
We got a High School expansion pack and that was fun, but I feel like there was a missed opportunity to create an online school or home school option. If I had to describe my real life aspiration in Sims terms it would be to Marry my Soul Mate (Done), Have Children (Done), and Homeschool our children (in progress). When I create my Sim Family, the aspect that is sorely lacking is the ability to homeschool the children. It feels like a letdown to send them to school each day in the Sims.
Here is my suggestion:
- On the phone, an adult could phone the school board (or Department of Education) and register a child or teen as a home school student.
- The child or teen then receives assignments similar to those received by adult sims when they have a "work from home" job.
- Completing those tasks/assignments results in grades increasing.
- Some of the assignments could be to
- Attend an online class on a specific topic.
- Practice skills
- Visit a museum or art gallery
- Visit a library
- Complete school projects
- Paint/Draw/Do crafts
- Write an essay
- Earn X amount of money at a bakesale
- Visit a park
- Make a friend
- etc.
There are so many items that can be added to the game:
- Blackboard/whiteboard that adult sims can use to tutor their children in a group.
- Notice board to display artwork
- Notebooks (similar to the diary and homework books)
- Desks
- Bookcases
- Posters
- Alarm Clocks
- Oversized wall clock
- Globe (with an interaction that allows them to develop social / mental skill)
- Tablet that allows online schooling
- Road mat / Railway play table
- etc.
New after school activities can be added too:
- Karate
- Ballet / Dance
- Soccer Practice
- etc.
The gameplay options would expand and have a big impact on other expansion packs. The more sinister gamers could create "cult-like" settings. The gamers who value family gameplay will have more to do as a family. Then there are those with Horse Ranches and Country Living who can have their children home all day to help with farm chores.
I'd love to hear what other Sim gamers would include in a Homeschool Pack. What other "Assignments" could be added? What other build mode things should be included? What interactions on the build mode items? What after school activities would you like? How could Homeschooling impact other expansion packs? Leave a comment below!
[SalixCat - Modified thread title for clarity]