A Complete List and Walkthrough of The Sims 4 Skills.

The Sims 4 has been around for almost eleven years and has enhanced the game through several expansion packs, game packs, stuff packs, and kits, adding new skills for our Sims along the way.

There are 69 Sim skills in total, which include 4 Child-only skills, 5 Toddler-only skills, and 4 Horse skills.

The Sims 4 skills list is ever-growing, but read on below for the most up-to-date info.

All About the Major Skills

Major skills have 10 levels total, and can be unlocked by Teens, Young Adults, Adults, and Elder Sims. Children can also unlock a handful of skills, such as Charisma, Photography, Video Gaming, etc.

Icon	The Sims 4 Skills	Recommended Mood	Tips to Unlock	Notes
	Acting Get Famous Expansion Pack	Confident	Unlock this skill by selecting the Practice Acting interaction on a mirror.
	Archaeology Jungle Adventure Game Pack	Focused	Unlock this skill by reading a skill book and authenticating artifacts.
	Baking Get to Work Expansion Pack	Inspired	Use the fridge to select the Bake interaction, or use the Whipped Dream Cupcake Factory.
	*Charisma Base Game	Happy	Use the Practice Speech interaction at a mirror or talk to another Sim.
	Comedy Base Game	Playful	Practice Jokes with the microphone or perform Funny social interactions.
	Cooking Base Game	Inspired	Ue the fridge or stove to select the Cook, Make a Meal, or Serve a Meal interaction. Your Sim can also use the grill and select the Grill interaction.
	DJ Mixing Get Together Expansion Pack	Focused	Use a DJ booth to select the Practice interaction.
	Fabrication Eco Lifestyle Expansion Pack	Focused	Use the fabricator machine or the Candle Making Station to unlock and increase this skill.
	*Fishing Base Game	Focused	Select the fishing sign at a nearby pond to use the Go Fishing interaction.	Some waters are too rough to fish in for Sims with lower Fishing Skill levels.
	Fitness Base Game	Energized	Workout with any exercise machine or equipment, Go on a Jog, or Go Swimming to unlock the skill.
	Flower Arranging Seasons Expansion Pack	Inspired	Use the Violets are Blue Flower Arranging Table to unlock and increase the skill. Your Sim can also trim a Bonsai Tree to increase this skill.
	Gardening Base Game	Focused	Plant a seed, water a plant, or harvest a plant. Your Sim can also trim a Bonsai Tree to increase this skill.
	Gemology Crystal Creations Stuff Pack	Focused	Use the Gemology Table to unlock and increase the skill.
	Gourmet Cooking– Base Game	Inspired	Select the Cook a Gourmet Meal interaction on a fridge or a stove.	Your Sim must have level 5 Cooking Skill to unlock the Gourmet Cooking skill
	Guitar Base Game	Inspired	Select a guitar to use the Practice interaction.
	Handiness Base Game	Focused	Repair broken appliances, upgrade appliances.
	Herbalism Outdoor Retreat Game Pack	Focused	Identify mysterious plants or Brew Herbal Remedies to unlock this skill.
	*Horse Riding Horse Ranch Expansion Pack	Confident	Ride a horse to unlock this skill.
	*Knitting Nifty Knitting Stuff Pack	Inspired	Use the Yarn Basket to select the design to knit and unlock the skill.
	*Logic Base Game	Focused	Practice Chess, Look Through a Telescope, and Study Fossils to unlock this skill.
	*Mischief Base Game	Angry	Prank other Sims, or use Mischief social interactions.
	Mixology Base Game	Inspired	Use a bar to select the Practice Making Drinks interaction.
	Painting Base Game	Inspired	Use an easel to practice painting.
	Parenting Parenthood Game Pack	Focused	Complete Parenting social interactions such as Influence to, Teach To Say Please and Thank You, and Teach to Say Sorry.
	*Photography Get to Work Expansion Pack	Inspired	Use the phone to take selfies and pictures, purchase a Camera to take higher quality pictures, add filters to pictures.
	*Piano Base Game	Inspired	Use a Piano to select the Practice interaction.
	*Pipe Organ Vampires Game Pack	Inspired	Use a Pipe Organ to select the Practice interaction.
	Pottery Businesses & Hobbies Expansion Pack	Inspired	Mold a Lump of Clay, use a Pottery Wheel to Craft New Ceramic and unlock the skill.
	Programming Base Game	Focused	Use a computer to access the Programming interactions.
	Research & Debate Discovery University Expansion Pack	Focused	Use the Electromagnetic Research Archive Machine and the Darling Debater Podium Set to increase this skill. Your Sim can also Practice Debate in the mirror.
	Robotics Base Game	Focused	Use the Robotics Workstation to unlock this skill.
	Rock Climbing Snowy Escape Expansion Pack	Focused	To the North of the Bunny Slopes on Mt. Komorebi, use the small starter wall to unlock this skill.
	Rocket Science Base Game	Focused	Buy a rocket and select the Build interaction.
	Romance Lovestruck Expansion Pack	Flirty	Complete flirty social interactions.
	*Singing City Living Expansion Pack	Inspired	Click on your Sim to select the Practice Singing interaction, use a microphone to Practice Singing
	Skiing Snowy Escape Expansion Pack	Energized, Confident	Unlock this skill by selecting the Ski interaction on the the slopes on Mt. Komorebi in Yukimatsu.
	Snowboarding Snowy Escape Expansion Pack	Energized, Confident	Unlock this skill by selecting the Snowboard interaction on the the slopes on Mt. Komorebi in Yukimatsu.
	Tattooing Businesses & Hobbies Expansion Pack	Inspired	Use the Digital Sketchpad to Design Tattoos, Offer Tattoos to other Sims (for free, or a price).
	Vampire Lore Vampires Game Pack	Energetic	Use a bookcase or computer to select the Research Vampire Lore interaction.	The Vampire Lore skill has 15 levels total
	Veterinarian Cats & Dogs Expansion Pack	Focused	Use the exam table and surgery machine to unlock the skill.
	*Video Gaming Base Game	Focused	Use the Video Games interaction on the computer, play on a gaming console, or use a gaming mat.
	*Violin Base Game	Inspired	Use a violin to select the Practice interaction.
	Wellness Spa Day Game Pack	Focused	Use the meditation stool to Meditate, the yoga mat to Practice Yoga, or the massage table to Give a Massage to unlock this skill.
	Writing Base Game	Inspired	Use the computer to select the Writing interaction and choose what to write and unlock this skill. Your Sim can also use a Private Journal to for this skill.

*Available for Child Sims and older

Your Guide to Minor Skills

Minor skills have 5 levels total and are just what your Sim needs to find their next hobby. Keep on reading to learn a few tips how to unlock these skills.

Icon	The Sims 4 Skills	Recommended Mood	Tips to Unlock	Notes
	*Bowling Bowling Night Stuff Pack	Focused	Visit a bowling alley and select a Ten Pin Adrenaline bowling lane to use the Bowl interaction.
	*Cross-stitching Cottage Living Expansion Pack	Focused	Purchase the Make It Sew Cross-Stitch Kit from Build Mode or Hoops from the Garden Shop in Henford-on-Bagley and use the Stitch from Pattern interaction.
	Dancing Get Together Expansion Pack	Confident, Energized	Turn on a stereo or music player and select the Dance interaction, select the Practice Moves interaction on a full-sized mirror.
	Entrepreneur High School Years Expansion Pack	Confident	Complete Odd Jobs, complete Freelancer gigs, use an instrument to Play for Tips at public lots, sell food at food stalls, sell outfits on Trendi, sell items on Plopsy, sell books, license songs, sell paintings to unlock this skill.
	Juice Fizzing Eco Lifestyle Expansion Pack	Focused	Use the The Afizzionissimi Fizzing Station to unlock this skill.
	*Media Production Get Famous Expansion Pack	Inspired	Use the Mix Master Music Station or the More Views Video Stations to unlock this skill.
	*Medium Paranormal Stuff Pack	Energized	Use the Seance Table to Communicate with Ghosts and unlock this skill.
	Nectar Making Horse Ranch Expansion Pack	Focused	Use the Rootin’ Fruit’n Nectar Maker to Craft Nectar and unlock this skill.
	*Pet Training Cats & Dogs Expansion Pack	Energized, Inspired, Focused	Teach Commands to pets to unlock this skill.
	Selvadoradian Culture Jungle Adventure Game Pack	Confident	Socialize with Selvadoradian locals, eat Selvadoradian food, and view the Madre Cosecha.
	Thanatology Life & Death Expansion Pack	Focused	Look up Historical Deaths on a bookshelf and use a computer to Read Theories to unlock this skill.

*Available for Child Sims and older

Developmental Skills for Child Sims

Children have unique skills to help them focus on growing up while they enjoy childhood. Each of these skills has a max of 10 levels, and will unlock a corresponding adult skill when your Child ages up.

Icon	The Sims 4 Skills	Recommended Mood	Tips to Unlock	Notes
	Creativity	Inspired	Draw shapes on the Activity Table, use a Dollhouse to Play with Dolls, Play Pretend with other Children, the Tiny Tot Treehouse, or the Private Journal to unlock the skill.	Reaching level 3 of the Imagination Skill as a Toddler will automatically unlock level 1 of the Creativity Skill as a Child, while reaching level 5 as a Toddler will unlock level 2 of the Creativity Skill.
	Mental	Focused	Play chess at a chess table, use the kids Science Set, play with a Doctor’s Play set to unlock this skill.	Reaching level 3 of the Thinking Skill as a Toddler will automatically unlock level 1 of the Mental Skill as a Child, while reaching level 5 as a Toddler will unlock level 2 of the Mental Skill.
	Motor	Energized	Ride a bike, Play On the monkey bars, play Hopscotch, Practice Typing on a computer, or practice riding a bike to unlock this skill.	Reaching level 3 of the Movement Skill as a Toddler will automatically unlock level 1 of the Motor Skill as a Child, while reaching level 5 as a Toddler will unlock level 2 of the Motor Skill.
	Social	Confident, Playful, Happy	Use a tablet or computer to Chat in the Kids Chatroom or put on a show with the Punchinello’s Theater of Fine Puppetry to unlock this skill.	Reaching level 3 of the Communication Skill as a Toddler will automatically unlock level 1 of the Social Skill as a Child, while reaching level 5 as a Toddler will unlock level 2 of the Social Skill.

The Fundamental Toddler Skills

Similar to Child Sims, Toddlers in the Sims 4 also have unique skills aimed at growing up successfully. Each of these skills has a max of 5 levels. If your Toddler Sim reaches level 3 or 5 of all of their skills, these will transform into different skills when your Toddler ages up to a Child.

Icon	The Sims 4 Skills	Recommended Mood	Tips to Unlock	Notes
	Imagination	Playful	Play in the Tiny Tot Treehouse, Use the Blocks play table, or have a Parent use the Read Toddler Book interaction.
	Thinking	Happy	Use the Shapes interaction on Blocks to build thinking skill, or a parent can Teach Basic Needs with Flash Cards.
	Movement	Excited	Stack Blocks to build the movement skill, or a parent can use the Teach to Walk interaction. Walking around also unlocks this skill.
	Communication	Happy	A parent can use the Teach to Talk interaction or the Teach Animal with Flash Cards interaction. Toddlers can also try to talk to unlock this skill.
	Potty Training	Happy	Use the Potty Help interaction to ask older Sims to Potty Train your Toddler. Toddlers with the Independent Trait can use the Go Potty interaction to practice the skill on their own.	This skill only has 3 levels.

Horses Skills

The Sims 4 Horse Ranch Expansion Pack introduces horseback riding, so naturally, the Horses have their own set of skills too! These Sims 4 Skills max out at level 10.

Icon	The Sims 4 Skills	Recommended Mood	Tips to Unlock	Notes
	Agility	Energized, Confident	Select the Practice Barrels interaction on the Horse Barrel.
	Endurance	Energized	Select the Go on Relaxed Ride, Go on Energized Ride, or Go on Intense Ride horse interaction to unlock this skill.
	Jumping	Confident	Use the Horse Jump to select the Practice Basic Jumps interaction to unlock this skill.
	Temperament	Confident	Socialize with your horse, use the Brush Mane interaction, or use Clean Hooves interaction.

How to Level Up

Aside from actually practicing the skill, each skill has its own unique interactions that will help your Sim level up, but there are also some generic ways your Sim can level up almost any skill.

Reading

Interact with a bookcase to purchase and read books to boost your skills. To level up, your Sim can learn levels 1-4 from Volume 1, levels 5-7 from Volume 2, and levels 8-10 from Volume 3.

Researching

Use the Research interaction under the Web category on the computer to research different skills. This doesn’t include the complete list of the Sims 4 skills, but will allow your Sims to level up several skills such as Romance and Gardening. For some skills, your Sim needs to be at least level 2 in order to use the web to research.

Sit in on Skills Classes

The phone offers the Sit in on Skills Class interaction, allowing your Sim to pay 250 Simoleons to sit in on a skill class for their desired skill. This is an easy way to make sure one Sim is still working on their skill while you’re focusing on a different Sim in your household. If your Sim is in a bad mood when they attend the class, their skill may not increase much.

Moods

Moods have a large impact on gameplay in the Sims 4. Moods influence how your Sims interact with other Sims, how they perform at work, and more. Positive moods, such as Happy, Energized, and Playful, will have a positive impact on skill building. Negative moods such as Angry, Tense, and Uncomfortable, will have a negative impact on skill building.

Each skill has a recommended mood to boost your Sims’ skill level. For example, an Inspired Sim will learn the Tattooing Skill at a quicker rate and create higher-quality tattoo designs. On the other hand, Uncomfortable Sims will struggle or refuse to learn the Tattooing Skill, and create poor tattoo designs.

Mentoring

In the Sims 4, your Sim can lean on their community and ask to be mentored by Sims with higher skill levels with the Offer Mentoring interaction. Sims mentored by others with higher skills will learn their skill at a quicker rate than when they practice their skill alone. Similarly, Toddler and Child Sims can level up their skills quickly when they learn with an older Sim through interactions like Help with Blocks.

The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies Expansion Pack introduced the ability to host or attend Skill Classes and added more mentorship interactions. Use the whiteboard to access the lecture interactions.

Traits

Personality traits in The Sims 4 dictate your Sims’ reactions, moods, interactions, needs, and so much more. They play a large role in honing skills.

Some traits will influence specific skills, such as the Dance Machine trait, which will help your Sim increase the Dancing Skill. Other traits have a general impact on skills. For example, Adventurous Sims will get bored practicing skills over and over, while Overachiever Sims will gain skills twice as fast.

Here is a quick list of some traits that will help your Sims level up their skills:

• Cringe: Build Comedy, Mischief, and Video Gaming Skills faster.
• Genius: Builds the Logic Skill quicker.
• Inspired Explorer: Build skills quicker outside of the home lot.
• Lovebug: Build the Romance, Charisma, and Photography Skills quicker.
• Morning Sim: Build skills quicker when practicing in the morning.
• Muser: Builds skills quicker when Inspired.
• Night Owl: Build skills quicker when practicing at night.
• Overachiever: Build skills twice as fast.
• Romantically Reserved: Builds the writing and Logic Skills faster than normal.

What other traits in the Sims 4 have you noticed help your Sims build their skills?

Cheats

If your Sim doesn’t have the time to work their way through their skills, they can always cheat their way to the top! Some of the Sims 4 skills have different formats for their cheats, but generally, you can use these formats:

Major Skills

• stats.set_skill_level Major_(Skill Name) X
  • Example: stats.set_skill_level Major_Archaeology 10

Minor Skills

• stats.set_skill_level Minor_(Skill Name) X
  • Example: stats.set_skill_level Minor_Medium 5

Child Skills

• stats.set_skill_level_(Skill Name) X
  • Example: stats.set_skill_level Skill_Child_Creativity 10

Toddler Skills

• stats.set_skill_level Skill_Toddler_(Skill Name) X
  • Example: stats.set_skill_level Skill_Toddler_Movement 5

Horse Skills

• Find your Horse’s unique Sim ID number by entering the following cheat: sims.get_sim_id_by_name [Horse First Name] [Horse Last Name]
• Enter the skills cheat: stats.set_skill_level (skill) X [SimID]
  • Example: stats.set_skill_level Horse_Agility 10 [SimID]

For more information on cheats, head over to The Ultimate Sims 4 Skill Cheats Guide and The Complete Sims 4 Horse Ranch Cheats List.

While this list of the Sims 4 Skills could change by skills being updated, added, or even removed in the future, this is the complete list of skills so far. Are there any skills you hope the Sims team will add one day? Let us know below!