The Sims Team has shared a sneak peek at the upcoming update for The Sims 4 in their latest Inside Maxis Livestream!

In the stream they’ve revealed that The Sims 4 will soon be updated with new group family activities, such as Cooking and Gardening Together. Best thing about it is that Children can now also join in the fun!

Check out the full transcript and information about this addition below (with screens!). The update is expected to be released closer to the release of The Sims 4 Cottage Living Expansion Pack.

Let’s talk about family time! In the next game update The Sims will be able to do more things with their family such as cooking together.

Group cooking allows you to select up to 5 Sims together to cook a meal. It allows you to gain relationships while creating better quality meals and more servings. In addition to any Sim that’s on a player slot Children can also be chosen to cook with an adult. They will gain Mental Skill as a part while doing this. Sims that cook together can gain a new Sentiment!

Let’s also talk about kids gardening! Children will be able to water, weed, plant and harvest crops! They cannot use the vertical garden from Eco Lifestyle though. Water is available to all Children but weed, plant and harvest are unlocked by Mental Skill thresholds. Children and Toddlers will also be able to talk to plants – it’s such a cute interaction! Toddlers babble or talk depending on Communication Skill; Children will have a few random renames of interactions like “How does the Sun taste?”.

Teens, Young Adults and Elder Sims with enough Gardening Skill can also teach about Plants to Child Sims – a social that provides a child with Mental Skills! All Sims who can plant Seeds (Teens, Young Adults and Elders) with enough Mental Skills will also have an option on gardening containers (Pots, Planters, Patches etc.) to plant the seeds in their inventory.