The Sims 4 is absolutely stock full of weird, quirky details and unexpected hidden gems that appear at the most surprising moments to throw the player off their course. It's this randomness and unpredictability and all the strange details that make the game so unique and popular among us Simmers.
The Sims 4: Cooking Skill Guide
Here is everything players need to know about the Cooking Skill in The Sims 4.
Although many have played the game for years and may know everything about it, casual Simmers might be surprised by the extent of detail and depth found in the game and all the fun things a Sim is actually capable of doing. Here are a few things players may not know they can do in The Sims 4 - and should totally try the next time they play!
Updated on March 18, 2025, by Ashely Claudino: Over the years, The Sims 4 developers have put out plenty of DLC content, but there is also a lot to uncover in the base game. This list has been updated with an entry that is exclusive to a kit and an entry that is available to everyone that owns the base game, namely the ability to vacuum toddlers and to change the color of in-game ghosts.
30 Curse a Sim With a Sweater
Be Careful What You Gift
- Nifty Knitting Stuff Pack
Knitting is a wholesome hobby in The Sims 4. Players can make objects, sweaters, and even baby clothes if they have high enough knitting skills. While players can sell or donate their knitted clothes, they can also use them as gifts for friends and family. However, one sweater in particular has consequences when it is gifted.
The Forbidden Sweater is a clothing item with unique effects. All Sims who wear it will receive a negative moodlet due to the horrific itching sensation that comes with wearing it. If a Sim gifts it to a romantic partner, they may give them the Sweater Curse. The Sweater Curse makes a Sim fail all romantic social interactions, so be wary when giving it out to Sims.
29 Have Father Winter's Baby
Earn a Special Trait
- Seasons Expansion Pack
Father Winter is a Santa-like Sim that comes around every year on Winterfest. Winterfest is the main event that takes place during winter, during which Sims can decorate a tree, give gifts, and enjoy holiday interactions. Father Winter also comes for a visit to give gifts and fill Sims with holiday cheer.
However, players can choose to romance Father Winter. He is like any other Sim, so Sims can flirt with him to their heart's content. If they get his romance meter high enough, they can use the Try For Baby interaction with him. Once the deed is done, and they get pregnant, the child will be born with the Father Winter's Baby trait and get an increase in Satisfaction Points from Whims.
28 Join a Secret Society
Go to Secret Meetings and Rituals
- Discovery University Expansion Pack
Discover University offers all kinds of real-life experiences that college students will have. The pack includes more niche activities, and while there aren't sororities and frats, Sims can join a secret society. Sims can go to Britechester or Foxbury Institute and become members of the Order of Enchantment.
The Order of Enchantment can only be joined by invitation, so not just anyone will be there. Order members get a cool robe and participate in mysterious rituals involving magical beings called Sprites. The Order of Enchantment includes a few more magical perks, so Sims can get mythical even without Realm of Magic.
27 Bring a Scarecrow to Life
Meet Patchy The Strawman
- Seasons Expansion Pack
Gardening is a skill and an activity that Sims can enjoy as a hobby or make a career out of. Sims who need help tending their gardens can hire a gardener or purchase Patchy the Strawman. Patchy is a scarecrow found in Build/buy mode for $450 Simeoleons. However, Patchy isn’t a normal Scarecrow and can come to life.
If players talk to Patchy and increase his friendship level, he will stand up from his stand and tend any plants on the lot. While his appearance remains a scarecrow, Patchy is just like any other Sim. While previously players could attempt to seduce Patchy, following the sexuality update, he is no longer interested in romance with other Sims.
26 Start a Book Club
Read Stories with Friends
- Get Together Expansion Pack
Sims can have all kinds of favorite activities, and with The Sims 4 Get Together , they can do them with like-minded Sims. For example, they can s tart a book club with the club feature from the DLC. As a club leader, a Sim can choose the name, icon, and activities everyone will do.
Book clubs are a great way for Sims to make friends, and can be full of Sims with certain traits like Creative or Bookworm. They can set up meetings at public libraries to get the authentic book club vibe.
25 Turn Into a Plant
Become an Occult Sim
- Base Game
Sims can turn in several occults through various DLCs, but there is one base game occult available. Plant Sims are a unique phenomenon that occurs by eating a Forbidden Fruit or completing the Plant-A-Sim scenario. It is also a temporary transformation, so players can check it out without having to commit to it.
Plant Sims require lots of water and sunlight to survive. When a Sim transforms into a Plant Sim, their skin turns green, and they get a spiffy new haircut. They will also complete unique idle animations. Eventually, a Plant Sim will wilt and turn back into a human Sim.
24 Vacuum Toddlers
Increase Toddlers' Hygiene Need Without Any Water
- Bust the Dust Kit
In The Sims 4, it's actually possible to increase a toddler's Hygiene Need without wasting any water. Players with the Bust the Dust Kit DLC have several vacuums at their disposal in Build Mode; if they purchase a handheld vacuum cleaner and place it in their inventory, they can approach a toddler and clean them with it.
Gamers will find the Clean Toddler with Vacuum interactions in the Friendly menu when interacting with a toddler in-game. This will slightly increase their Hygiene Need - not by a lot, but it's an amusing option to try, as they usually find it quite funny.
23 Earn Royalties Off Songs
Create Original Songs
- Base Game
It’s no secret that Sims can learn to play instruments and even go on to become rock stars, but many players don’t realize that there’s actually a way to earn royalties off of their songs, no fancy mod required. If the Sim gets their Guitar skill to a high enough rank, they can write and record songs. The final step is to use the mailbox to publish the song.
The Sim will then earn royalties off that song every day. Songs don’t stay fresh and cool forever, though, and royalties will decrease over time, so if the player intends to live off the royalties from their music, they’ll need to keep recording and releasing new songs to keep revenue up.
22 Make Jam
Have Fun In the Kitchen
- Cottage Living Expansion Pack
Playing guitar isn’t the only way for characters to jam out in the Sims. If the player has a decent kitchen and a Sim with a knack for cooking, they can take some fruit and bottles to the stove and indulge all of their jam-making fantasies.
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Jam-making might not be as exciting as traveling to a magical forest or another planet, but above all the Sims is about the pleasures of living a second life, regardless of how mundane that life may be. Some players even find vacuuming, taking out the trash, and doing other Sim chores to be enjoyable, so there’s nothing wrong with flexing one’s cooking skills with some preservatives instead.
21 Change Ghost Color
Ghosts Can Express Themselves Beyond Their Current Mood
- Base Game
When The Sims 4 first released, it wasn't possible to change the color of a ghost; they were given a color according to the type of death they suffered. However, close to the release of the Life and Death expansion pack, the developers added a free base game update that made it possible for everyone to change the color of ghosts in The Sims 4.
To do so, gamers must select a Ghost, then Set Ghost Color, and choose whichever color they prefer. This will disable the Mood Color option. However, gamers can turn it back on at any time in the future.