I don't think it needs to be different. We're asking for returning content. If they imported all the stuff from the old pack into the new one, would anyone really care? As you said, it was well-executed in 3. Especially since most creative liberties and differences the Sims 4 team makes are usually for the worse.
But here are some changes from Generations I'd like to see added
in addition to what we could already get. As in, build on what we got before, asmost sequels
should do.
Babies
- Freedom from bassinets, and we also get cribs
- Being able to put them in a stroller or one of those baby-holders you keep on your chest.
- Letting them roll around a baby mat.
- Toddlers can walk automatically in Sims 4. If this isn't changed, maybe you can teach older babies to stand up.
- Returning feature: Babies will barf on people.
- Letting your baby out of the basinet and interacting with it will give it a head-start on toddler skills once it ages up.
Toddlers
- Returning feature from Sims 2: A hungry toddler will try and take food/bottles from another toddler.
- Once a toddler maxes a skill, it can start learning the corresponding child skills.
- Toddlers can be put in cribs, as they could in older games.
- Include a TV channel for pre-schoolers, where toddlers can watch and gain some skills. Sometimes, an episode might be too scary for a child and frighten them.
- Obsessions. Like how TS4 pets could become obsessed with things, kids can become obsessed with certain TV shows, NPCs or items. You can indulge your kid with plumber costumes, give them a Grim Reaper plush, or slap Voidcritter posters all over their room.
- Returning feature: Toddlers can sleep in regular beds. Maybe they can autonomously climb into their parents' bed if they wake up from a nightmare.
- Toddlers not properly potty-trained might wet the bed. You'll have to wash the sheets, or use a special spray to clean it.
- Rabbit hole: Puppet Play Theater. Take your toddlers to a puppet show, where they can learn important life lessons and be entertained. Your sim may or may not hate it, but at least they can bond with their child and sibling.
- In Generations, kids could have tea parties. Here, toddlers can have tea parties, as well.
Children
- We got afterschool activities in Generations, as well as in two TS4 EP's. Let's bring back ballet, but also add a chess club, a swim team, a book club, and a Voidcritters card-collecting club. They'll be simpler than Seasons' scouts, but deeper than Get Famous' drama club. Doing well in them will give you bonuses related to that club's theme, like learning Logic faster and doing better in chess; swimming faster and being able to keep your weight under control; and getting Bookworm interactions despite not having the trait.
- Bullies. Some townie kids might get the designation, where they will perform mean interactions on other children or get into physical fights. Bullied kids will cry, some will fight back, some will try and bribe the bully, and some will try to befriend the bully. A parent can also call the bully's parents over the phone and end the bullying instantly, if this gameplay is too much for you.
- Kids can develop crushes on each other. At most, they can hand-hold, kiss each other on the cheek, and send love notes through the mail.
- Returning feature: Tag, Cops & Robbers, etc.
- Children can now garden.
- Voidcritters return, this time with a ton of merch and a new set of cards. There will also be a rival franchise with similar merch. If your child has declared a preference for one franchise (and hasn't done to the same for another), they can fight other kids in the opposite fandom.
- (Shared with teenagers) active school days. May only be for regular school, and not boarding schools.
- Homeschooling.
