Basic Skills

In The Sims 2 there are skills that Sims can build and get better at. Some of the skills are shown in the skills tab, some of them are hidden and some of them create talent badges. In Free Time, Apartment Life, Open for Business, Seasons and University expansion packs more skills are added to the base game skills.

Basic skills are the skills shown in the skills tab.

Cooking: Sims can build cooking skill by preparing food, watching the Yummy Channel on TV or by reading a cooking skill book from the bookcase. Higher cooking skill reduces the chance of fire caused by cooking. When the cooking skill increases, Sims learn to cook different meals.

http://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com

Mechanical: Sims can build mechanical skill by repairing objects, reading mechanical skill from the bookcase or using the TraumaTime “Incision Precision” Surgical Training station in medicine career rewards. Higher mechanical skill reduces the chance of getting electrocuted when repairing electronics and helps Sims to repair objects faster. In Open for Business expansion pack, mechanical skill helps building the Robotic and Toy Making talent badges. In the Free Time expansion pack, doing mechanical skill related actions increases a Sim’s enthusiasm in Tinkering hobby.

http://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com

Charisma: Sims who are teens or older can build charisma skill by practicing speech or romance on the mirror. Sims who are children or older can build this skill by playing the Execuputter, which is a business career reward. Toddlers can earn charisma skill points by playing with the Rip Co. Wobbly Wabbit Head. Charisma skill helps getting positive results in social interactions.

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/c2T3y3kslXI/hqdefault.jpg

Body: Sims can build body skill by swimming, using gym equipment, working out using the TV or stereo, doing yoga, using the obstacle course which is a military career reward, using the punching bag which is an athletic career reward, riding the ElectroDance Sphere, bowling, using the Deluxe Log Rolling Pit, using the ballet barre, using the basketball court, doing tai chi, jogging and jumping rope. Kids can also gain body skill by using playground equipment. Body skill increases a Sim’s chance of winning fights and staying on some gym equipment without falling. Body skill also helps pregnant Sims not to throw up.

http://silvervaleprosperity.blogspot.ca/2009/02/university-d.html

Logic: Sims can increase Logic skill by playing chess, stargazing through a telescope, using the SimSantro Inc. Biotech Station which is a science career reward and doing the crossword in the newspaper. Toddlers can gain logic skill by playing with a peg toybox. Logic skill increases the chance of winning a chess game, helps getting the Register talent badge and Sims who have 10 logic skill points learn other skills 35% faster except for body and charisma.

http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/687900.page

Creativity: Sims can gain creativity skill by playing musical instruments, painting pictures, using the SensoTwitch Lie Finder which is a criminal career reward, using the AquaGreen Hydroponic Garden which is a slacker career reward, singing, writing a novel and using the DJ booth. Higher creativity skill makes the instruments sound better and makes the quality and price of the paintings and novels higher.

http://sims.wikia.com/wiki/Painting

Cleaning: Sims can build cleaning skill by cleaning dirty objects, reading the cleaning skill book and using Prints Charming Fingerprint Scanner which is a law enforcement career reward. Higher cleaning skill speeds up cleaning.

http://sims.wikia.com/wiki/Cleaning