Tattoos Unlocked for Children and Toddlers
Every simmer knows the feeling. You spend hours perfecting a child Sim's look in Create-a-Sim, only to discover that tattoos are locked behind an age gate. It feels arbitrary, doesn't it? If a toddler can wear a full face of costume makeup or rock a punk-rock hairstyle, why can't they sport a temporary sleeve? The answer is, with this mod, they absolutely can. Tattoos Unlocked for Children and Toddlers tears down those digital barriers, letting you express your youngest Sims' personalities in ways the base game never intended.
Why This Mod Exists
The original mod description sums it up perfectly: "Have you ever looked at the CAS options in Sims 4 and thought 'hey, they won't let me do this, so I really want to now?'" This pack is the ultimate "because I can" project. It's not about realism; it's about creative freedom. This mod takes every single base-game tattoo and re-enables it for the child and toddler age groups. That means all the intricate linework, bold graphics, and subtle shading that were previously reserved for teens and adults are now at your disposal for your youngest legacy heirs.
What Exactly Gets Unlocked?
When you download Tattoos Unlocked for Children and Toddlers, you are getting a comprehensive override system. Here is what is included in the package:
- All Base-Game Tattoos: Every tattoo from the base game is now available for children and toddlers. No more grayed-out icons.
- Body Hair Additions: Yes, you read that right. The pack includes body hair options for kids and toddlers. The creator warns this is more of a "because I can" feature. If you prefer your child Sims to stay smooth, simply delete the body hair package files from your Mods folder.
- Randomization Enabled: Since these are overrides, the game's randomizer can now apply tattoos to younger Sims. Be prepared for some wild townie fashion choices.
Compatibility and Requirements
This mod works with the core mechanics of Tattoos Unlocked for Children and Toddlers for The Sims 4. It is designed to function with the base game and most expansion packs, as it primarily alters the CAS catalog flags. However, you should always check for updates after major game patches. The mod is built as a script-free override, which generally makes it more resilient to updates, but it is always wise to keep your mods folder tidy.
For those using custom content (CC) tattoos, there is a catch. The mod does not automatically unlock CC tattoos for younger ages. To use CC ink on a child, you will need to open the package file in Sims 4 Studio and manually check the age availability boxes for children and toddlers. It is a simple process that takes about thirty seconds per file, but it is a manual step you must perform for each CC tattoo you want to use.
Known Bugs and Workarounds
No mod is perfect, and this one has a specific quirk you need to know about. Tattoos will disappear when a toddler ages up into a child, or if a Sim ages down (via cheats) into a toddler or child. This is a limitation of how the game stores tattoo data for those age groups. The good news is that a child aging up into a teen will retain their tattoos, so the issue only occurs when crossing the "young" boundary lines. If you want to fix this, you will need to re-apply the tattoos manually after the age transition.
Getting Paint Mode to Work
To use the tattoo paint mode (the free-draw tool) on children and toddlers, you will need to download Twisted Mexi's "Always Full Edit Mode" mod. Alternatively, you can use the testingcheats true cheat followed by cas.fulleditmode to access the full editing suite. Be aware that the game's rigging is not designed for this. The body may stretch oddly when you enter paint mode on a toddler. It is a visual glitch that disappears once you exit the mode, but it is worth knowing before you start drawing.
How to Install
Installing this mod is straightforward. Here is a quick guide on how to install the files correctly:
- Download the mod archive from the creator's page.
- Extract the
.packagefiles from the ZIP folder. - Place the extracted files directly into your
Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Modsfolder. - Ensure that "Script Mods Allowed" and "Custom Content and Mods" are enabled in your Game Options.
- Restart the game completely.
If you are using the foxygame.net launcher, you can skip the manual extraction entirely. The launcher's one-click install feature handles the file placement for you, ensuring that Tattoos Unlocked for Children and Toddlers lands in the correct directory without risking folder path errors. The launcher also tracks mod updates, so you will be notified when a new version is compatible with the latest Sims 4 patch.
Managing the Randomizer
Because the tattoos are overrides, they are automatically added to the random pool. If you do not want random townies walking around with full back pieces, you have two options. You can use a mod like MCCC to restrict random CAS items, or you can simply accept the chaos. The creator notes that this is an intended feature, not a bug. It adds a layer of unpredictability to your game that can be surprisingly fun.
Final Thoughts
This mod is a delightful rebellion against the constraints of the base game. It is not for everyone, and the body hair inclusion is certainly a polarizing choice, but for players who want maximum creative control over their legacy families, it is a must-have. The age-up bug is annoying, but the ability to give your toddler a full sleeve or your child a subtle chest piece far outweighs the minor inconvenience of re-applying ink after a birthday cake. If you have ever wanted to tell a story about a punk-rock kid or a mystical toddler with ancient runes, this is the mod for you. Just remember to keep your Sims 4 Studio skills sharp for any CC tattoos you want to add to the mix.