Child Life Stage
Complete guide to the Child life stage in inZOI, covering duration, elementary school, homework, the four child-exclusive skills (Creativity, Motor Development, Responsibility, Social), values development, daily activities, and tips for getting the most out of this formative stage.
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Overview
The Child life stage is one of the core life stages in inZOI. It lasts for 7 in-game days and represents a major leap in independence compared to the Newborn and Toddler stages that come before it. Children can feed themselves, use the bathroom on their own, and interact with a much wider range of objects around the house and neighborhood. They are also the youngest age group that players can directly create in character creation, making this the first stage where you have full control over a Zoi's appearance and personality from the start.
During childhood, Zois attend elementary school, develop personality through the values system, and build four child-exclusive skills that carry over into adulthood through an aptitude system. While children cannot work, pursue romantic relationships, or live independently, they have plenty to keep them busy. Between school attendance, homework, playing, exploring the world, and building friendships, the Child stage lays the groundwork for everything that follows.
Duration and Aging
Children remain in this life stage for exactly 7 in-game days. Since each in-game day defaults to roughly 48 real-world minutes at standard speed, this translates to approximately 5 hours and 36 minutes of real-time play. Players who adjust day length through the Simulation settings will see a proportionally shorter or longer childhood.
After the 7-day period, a child automatically ages up to the Teenager stage. The transition happens at the start of a new day with no manual confirmation required. The Zoi's appearance changes immediately, including adjustments to height, body proportions, and facial features. There is no way to check exact remaining time before aging up, but players can disable aging entirely through the Options menu under Simulation settings if they want to keep a Zoi in childhood indefinitely.
Character Creation
The Child stage is the youngest age group available in the character creator. Players can build a Zoi directly as a child when starting a new household, giving them full control over appearance, traits, and personality. Children created this way start with no prior skill progress, since they did not go through the Newborn or Toddler stages in gameplay.
Children who age up naturally from the Toddler stage retain their existing appearance with automatic adjustments for height and body proportions. Their facial features evolve to reflect the older age bracket, though the core look established during earlier stages carries through. Variations in appearance such as height and posture are fixed for each age group and cannot be manually adjusted outside of character creation.
Elementary School
Children attend elementary school as part of their daily routine. School operates on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM in-game time. Like all schools in the current version of inZOI, elementary school functions as a rabbit-hole activity. When the school day begins, the Zoi leaves the household lot and disappears into the school building. Players cannot follow their child inside or directly control what happens during classes.
While a child is at school, a portrait button appears next to their character icon. Clicking this button lets you choose specific actions for the student to focus on during the school day, such as studying hard, socializing with classmates, or relaxing. These choices influence which skills receive passive gains and how the child's mood is affected when they return home.
Random events may also appear during the school day, presenting scenarios with multiple-choice responses. For example, a child might encounter a situation where they need to decide whether to help a struggling classmate or handle a disagreement with a peer. These events affect the Zoi's mood, relationships, and can nudge their value development in particular directions.
Homework
After each school day, children receive homework assignments that appear as a task list on the left side of the screen. These tasks must be completed within a tight window of approximately 5 to 6 hours after school ends. Since school lets out at 2:00 PM, children typically need to finish their homework by around 8:00 PM.
Homework tasks often require children to read specific books and use the computer. When an assignment says to read a particular book, the child must find the correct book on a bookshelf and study it to completion for the task to count as done. Computer-based homework may involve doing research or completing coding tasks. Having both a bookshelf stocked with books and a computer at home makes homework completion much smoother.
Completing homework on time and attending school regularly increases the child's Academic Level. Missing deadlines or skipping school causes it to decline. Players can track their child's academic performance, attendance, absences, and schedule through the School tab on the smartphone. Consistently strong academic performance provides small skill boosts and keeps the child on track for a smooth transition into high school during the Teenager stage.
Child-Exclusive Skills
Children have access to four unique skills that are only available during this life stage. Each of these skills caps at level 5. When a child maxes out a skill before aging up, the game grants an Aptitude bonus that automatically sets the corresponding adult skills to level 5 at the start of the Teenager stage. This system makes childhood skill development extremely valuable for long-term character progression.
Child Skill | Max Level | Aptitude Bonus | Adult Skills Boosted |
|---|---|---|---|
5 | Creativity Aptitude | Art, Instrument, Performance, Media Production (Level 5) | |
5 | Motor Development Aptitude | Fitness (Level 5) | |
5 | Responsibility Aptitude | ||
5 | Social Aptitude |
Because these skills max out at level 5 and the childhood period is only 7 days, the window to develop them is limited. Players who want to give their Zoi the best start should prioritize skill-building activities throughout the entire childhood.
Creativity
Creativity is the most versatile child skill because it converts to four different adult skills at once. Children who max Creativity before aging up will start the Teenager stage with level 5 in Art, Instrument, Performance, and Media Production simultaneously, giving them a massive head start across the entire creative skill category.
The fastest way to increase Creativity is to practice or play using the Synthesizer or Grand Piano. Each song can raise the meter significantly, and the child can repeat the action until the skill levels up. Some instruments, such as guitars, are locked to children, but drum kits and keyboards work well. Children can also increase Creativity by painting on an easel, drawing or doodling at a table, and playing video games on the computer. Gaming doubles as both a Creativity builder and a way to satisfy the Fun need at the same time.
Motor Development
Motor Development allows free movement and body control, functioning as the child equivalent of the adult Fitness skill. When maxed at level 5, it unlocks Motor Development Aptitude, which automatically sets the Fitness skill to level 5 when the Zoi ages up.
Children can build Motor Development by working out on a treadmill, practicing poses on a yoga mat, or playing with a basketball or soccer ball. These sports items can be found at public locations like the school or purchased for home use. Playing sports is a great way for children to burn extra energy, satisfy their Fun need, and raise Motor Development at the same time. Riding a rocking horse is another child-specific activity that builds this skill. Using a treadmill for jogging or running is one of the fastest methods for leveling up Motor Development.
Responsibility
The Responsibility skill involves planning and carrying out actions. It improves when children complete self-directed tasks such as cleaning the house with a mop or vacuum, writing in a journal, and helping with household chores. When maxed at level 5, it grants Responsibility Aptitude, which sets Housework and Cooking to level 5 at the start of the Teenager stage.
Responsibility is one of the more passive skills to build, since many of its activities overlap with everyday household routines. Encouraging a child to clean up after themselves and tidy common areas consistently throughout the 7-day period is usually enough to make meaningful progress.
Social
The Social skill involves effective communication and relationship-building with others. It improves through conversations, group play, and interactions with family members, classmates, and other Zois. Children can also talk to a large teddy bear or practice with a microphone to build this skill at home.
The best way to level up Social is by talking to other children at school, since a significant portion of the day is already spent there. Outside of school, talking to family members at home and other Zois while out and about all contribute. When maxed at level 5, it unlocks Social Aptitude, which automatically sets Charm and Rhetoric to level 5. This makes it one of the more impactful aptitude bonuses, since both Charm and Rhetoric are valuable adult skills for social interactions and career advancement.
Values System
The values system unlocks during the Child life stage. Values shape a Zoi's personality and influence their behavior, preferences, and emotional responses as they grow older. The choices a child makes and the situations they encounter begin defining which values become dominant. For example, a child who frequently helps with chores and completes homework on time may develop values associated with diligence, while a child who spends most of their time socializing may lean toward interpersonal values.
Parents and household members can actively influence a child's value development through interactions. Encouraging certain behaviors, praising accomplishments, or exposing the child to specific activities nudges their values in particular directions. The parenting guide covers these mechanics in more detail. Children may also pick up values from school events and friendships with other Zois, which adds an element of unpredictability to personality development. Values established during childhood carry forward into the Teenager and Adult stages, making early choices particularly consequential.
Needs
Children have the same core needs as adult Zois, though they require parental support for some activities during the earlier part of childhood. The main needs categories are:
Hunger - Children need regular meals. They can eat food prepared by household members and are able to grab snacks or simple meals on their own.
Hygiene - Bathing and washing hands keep this need satisfied. Children can handle most hygiene tasks independently.
Energy - Children need adequate sleep. A consistent bedtime helps keep this need in check. Overexertion from too many activities can drain energy quickly.
Fun - Play activities, toys, video games, and entertainment fulfill this need. Neglecting Fun makes children unhappy and can slow skill progress.
Social - Interacting with family members, friends, and other Zois. School attendance naturally satisfies some of this need during the day.
Comfort - Rest, relaxation, and a comfortable living environment contribute to this need.
Bladder - Standard bathroom needs. Children can use the bathroom independently.
Keeping all needs balanced is important for maintaining a positive mood. A child with unmet needs will become unhappy and may refuse to engage in skill-building or social activities, wasting valuable time during the already limited 7-day childhood period.
Activities and Daily Life
Beyond school, homework, and skill development, children can engage in a wide variety of daily activities:
Use their smartphone for entertainment, social messaging, and checking school information
Play with toys, dolls, and playground equipment at home or in public parks
Explore the neighborhood and visit community lots such as libraries and recreational areas
Watch television or play video games on the computer
Interact with family members through conversation, hugs, and group activities
Play basketball or soccer outdoors to burn off energy and build Motor Development
Paint on an easel or draw at a table for creative expression
Practice instruments like the piano, synthesizer, or drums
Read books from the bookshelf for personal enrichment and homework completion
Participate in random events that pop up during the day, which can affect mood, relationships, and values
Children are more self-sufficient than toddlers and can perform most daily activities without direct parental intervention. However, they still benefit from an engaged household. Parents who cook meals, maintain a clean home, and interact regularly with their children create an environment that supports both need satisfaction and healthy development.
Tips
Focus on maxing all four child skills before aging up. The aptitude bonuses that carry into the Adolescent stage are significant and save considerable time later. Creativity is especially valuable because it boosts four adult skills at once.
Keep a synthesizer or grand piano, a treadmill or yoga mat, and a computer in the home. These three items cover the fastest leveling methods for Creativity, Motor Development, and Fun.
Complete homework consistently every day after school. Falling behind affects the child's mood, academic level, and wastes time that could be spent on skill building.
Stock the bookshelf with a variety of books. Homework often requires reading specific titles, and having them available at home saves the child from needing to travel to the library.
Pay attention to values development early. The personality traits that form during childhood stick with the Zoi for life, and parents can actively steer them through encouragement and interaction.
Balance skill-building with fun activities. Neglecting the Fun need makes children unhappy, which can slow down progress across all skills.
Have parents interact frequently with the child to build strong family bonds and influence values positively. Regular praise and conversation both contribute.
Use the School tab on the smartphone to monitor academic performance, attendance, and upcoming homework deadlines.
Consider disabling aging in the Simulation settings if you want more time to max all four skills and explore value development before moving to the Adolescent stage.