diff --git a/examples/platforms/simulation/openthread-core-simulation-config.h b/examples/platforms/simulation/openthread-core-simulation-config.h
index 665713101..879f069bf 100644
--- a/examples/platforms/simulation/openthread-core-simulation-config.h
+++ b/examples/platforms/simulation/openthread-core-simulation-config.h
@@ -199,6 +199,16 @@
 #define OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_CLI_UART_RX_BUFFER_SIZE 640
 #endif
 
+/**
+ * @def OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_MLE_MAX_CHILDREN
+ *
+ * The maximum number of children.
+ *
+ */
+#ifndef OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_MLE_MAX_CHILDREN
+#define OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_MLE_MAX_CHILDREN 128
+#endif
+
 /**
  * @def OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_MLE_INFORM_PREVIOUS_PARENT_ON_REATTACH
  *