Best Sims 4 challenges to make your Sims’ lives more difficult

Do you ever feel like you're in a rut with your gameplay in The Sims 4 and want something challenging and screenshot worthy? Check out our extensive list of Sims challenges to find one that will make you equal parts happy and frustrated!

Best Challenges in The Sims 4

The Sims 4 can run into the issue of repetitive gameplay if you go through a phase of lacking inspiration or structure. This is where challenges for the game come into play. Challenges in The Sims 4 range from practical to insane, but they all add obstacles and entertainment.

While there are hundreds of options for challenges, a select few outshine the others, earning the title of the best. We've broken down the best of them into even more helpful categories below!

Best Classic Challenges in The Sims 4

Rags to Riches

The Rags to Riches challenge is one of the most popular challenges for The Sims 4, and for good reason. You'll take your Sim from the depths of poverty to being comfortably wealthy. The challenge involves starting at zero simoleons and working your way up in unique and clever ways. There are some alternate versions of the challenge, but the original goal is to finish with 50,000 simoleons in savings and a fully furnished house for your Sim.

Need something more difficult? Increase the goal to 200,000 simoleons and have offspring continue the challenge by obtaining more wealth.

100 Baby Challenge

The 100 Baby Challenge in The Sims 4 is so popular that many non-Simmers have even heard of it. But in case you aren't aware, you start with one sim, your matriarch (it doesn't have to be a female Sim; just make sure to enable pregnancy), and get her through multiple pregnancies until 100 children are produced. This challenge presents the difficult task of motherhood, as well as romancing Sims.

This challenge has specific rules around child-rearing (good grades, leveled-up skills) and other facets of gameplay that you'll need to review before starting. While the challenge is quite famous, this feat is not for the casual player.

The Black Widow Challenge

Of the classic Sims 4 challenges, The Black Widow is the deadliest. Your Sim (male or female, though typically female) must have the traits romantic, materialistic, and snob selected. Have her meet and marry a Sim, then throw a dinner party with at least a silver rating to commemorate your "happy" marriage. Bring an affair partner into the home and intentionally get caught cheating. At this point, kill the spouse and repeat the process ten times. Each time, you'll get all of their money and assets.

Related: How to get rid of the unfulfilled dreams fear in Sims 4

Best Short Challenges in The Sims 4

10k Starter Home Challenge

The 10k Starter Home challenge is a pretty straightforward and quick-to-complete one. Build a starter home in The Sims 4, all while using equal to or less than 10,000 simoleons. This challenge can easily be completed in one sitting and is perfect for more casual simmers. There are a few rules: you must have the basic amenities for a home, separate rooms for the bedroom and bathroom, and no custom content.

You can use the debug cheat if you'd like, but I'd recommend against it as it cheats the challenge a bit. But using a little for landscaping should be fine.

Mid-life Crisis Challenge

Choose an adult Sim for this challenge, but gender or looks don't matter. The Mid-life Crisis challenge requires your adult Sim to change their life in a short period of time in an attempt to reinvent themselves in middle age. They must start a new job (within a different career group), refresh all clothing/styling in their wardrobe, and max out their fitness skill.

Some other changes you can elect to make for your Sim in crisis are new friends, relationship changes (breakups, new marriage, etc.), and moving worlds.

Bad Blood Challenge

Quick! Pick two Sims in your household. Now, you have to do everything in your power to make them become enemies. The Bad Blood Challenge is a simple and effective way to shake up your gameplay by changing the dynamics of the Sims you know well. You also get to try out mean interactions you may not have before!

If there is only one Sim in your house, have them choose their closest friend or family member outside of the home. How you choose to make them enemies is up to you and part of the fun!

Best 'World-Altering' Challenges in The Sims 4

Decades Challenge

The Decades Challenge presents the opportunity for an immersive and nostalgic experience for simmers. You must start with one family as they and future generations live from the 1890s to the 2020s. The overall goal is to make your sims live as convincingly in each decade as possible, including limited technology for each era.

While challenging and time-consuming, this challenge adds a lot of depth to your gameplay. You may want to use mods that stop your Sims from using technology, as well as custom content for more period-specific clothing and decor.

Related: All Careers and Professions in The Sims 4

Prison Challenge

If you were the type to remove the pool ladder in The Sims 3, then this challenge is for you. The prison challenge has you simulate a prison environment for the Sims you have trapped. You'll spend most of your time making them perform money-making labor in order to earn their freedom.

You must manage your sims as a warden, maxing their skills and making sure they stay healthy under your care. Once their skills are maxed, they are set free. You can have a maximum of 15 prisoners at one time, with the ultimate goal of freeing 10 prisoners.

Want more ideas to spice up your Sims 4 gameplay? Check out How to turn on Risky Woohoo in The Sims 4 on Pro Game Guides.