If you’re a gamer who enjoys relaxing games that can keep you occupied for hours, this listicle is for you. The Sims franchise has been around since February of 2000. While many people enjoy the older games such as “The Urbz,” “The Sims 2: Castaway,” and others, many love the newest game that was released in November 2017, The Sims 4. Here are a few things you can do in The Sims 4 to help you enjoy your experience and make some simoleans.

• Garden

There are over 30 different types of plants that you can unlock and plant in your fruiting garden as your gardening skill levels up. Some are rare and require grafting and research to unlock, but the outcome is worth it as some plants like the “Death Flower” may just save your life after that unexpected kitchen fire. Exchange the death flower with the Grim Reaper, and he just may spare your life! Seeds are fairly inexpensive, and if you have the Seasons expansion, you can get some free seeds on Harvest Day (better known as Thanksgiving in the real world).

• Painting

Painting is a great way for your Sims to bring up their fun meter, but it also can bring in the big bucks! As your Sims experience in painting gets higher, there is a greater chance they will create a masterpiece! Show off the beautiful art in your home or sell it for the money! Either way, both you and your Sim will be enjoying this skill!

• Find Collectibles

Throughout the world, there are hidden objects that your Sims can dig up! Rare rocks, frogs, snowglobes, and dolls can be found this way, and there is even an aspiration that rewards you for being a collector of all things. Decorate your house with your cool new gizmos and gadgets and show them off to visitors. Many of these objects also give off an emotional aura that is guaranteed to make your Sim happier!

• Find Hidden Worlds

I was so shocked the first time I discovered that I could journey through a tree into a new world. I had noticed a beautiful tree near my starter house and found that I could interact with it. After answering some questions, a hole opened in the tree, revealing a portal that my Sim could climb through. Reluctantly, I traveled through and discovered a new area to fish, rare plants, and an interesting world to explore. If you have expansion packs, there are plenty of hidden finds like this, but even with the base game, there are a few you can travel to. What worlds have you found so far?

• Fish

Fishing is just as enjoyable in real life as it is in The Sims. While you may only get berries and trash in the beginning, you will slowly level up your fishing skill just like any of the other skills. The higher skill you get, the better fish you will catch. Sell them for money, add them to your personal fish tank, or use them to decorate the walls of your home.

• Pets!

The Sims Pets expansion is definitely a fun one. There are so many items you can add to your home to help train your pets and to raise their fun and loyalty to you as well. There are also small pets that you can add to your home that do not require as much work as a cat or a dog. The cats and dogs are customizable, so go ahead and add long and short fur, clothing, and different patterns to your dog’s fluffy coat! Pets’ personality traits are also customizable, which can be fun to see how things play out once they arrive at your home. There is also the option to adopt a pet using the phone or computer to contact an adoption agency. This also opens up the option to work in a veterinary office helping sick animals!

• Get To Work

The Sims 4 has an expansion pack called “Get To Work” that enables your Sims to go to a job that you can control physically. There are three different jobs that you can go to: Scientist, Law Enforcement, and Doctor. Search for clues like fingerprints and broken or stolen furniture items to help you nab the bad guy in the law enforcement career. Once you’re back at the station, you’ll have to go through the steps of booking them, like more fingerprints, mug shots, and doing reports. If law enforcement isn’t for you, try your hand at being a doctor. In the beginning, you’ll help bring meals to their bedside, take temperatures, and chat with co-workers. Further in your career, you can perform surgeries and diagnose patients as well as dispense medications. In the scientist career, you’ll spend a lot of time looking at samples and gathering some collectible items. Further along, you’ll have intergalactic experiences with aliens and be able to use the SimRay to transform objects right before your eyes.

All of these experiences are sure to make the game much more fun and enjoyable. Also, they can bring in money for your Sim, which can be spent expanding and decorating your house, leaving a good fund for your kids once your adult sims pass away. There are so many more things to keep you entertained and even surprise you! I once had a Sim pass away because they couldn’t stop laughing, which, in turn, made me laugh! I hope you enjoy this game as much as I do!

Featured photo by VanessaRocksMyWorld0, courtesy of Pixabay