The Sims 2 Gameplay Rules: Hobbies & Sub-Hobbies
- phdsimmer
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
This post is about how I manage hobbies and sub-hobbies in my game, find my general Sims 2 gameplay rules here:Â Gameplay Rules
One True Hobby
A Sim's hobby will be their "One True Hobby" as pre-determined by the game at birth.
Hobbies are determined by a Sim's interests and personality as per the table below.
I don't use any mods which overhaul the maxis system of assigning these and I don't change them in game either.
Sims may want to do activities related to other hobbies and they are allowed to fulfill these. A Sim may therefore gain enthusiasm in other hobbies, as well as their One True Hobby.
Sub-Hobby
Sub-hobbies are useful to ensure that not all Sims are enjoying their hobby in the same way, to give Sims more diverse personalities, and as players to use different gameplay features.
Once a Sim has discovered their One True Hobby, I will roll a dice to randomly determine their sub-hobby. This will be the main way a Sim practices their hobby and the one I will usually direct them to do. Of course, Sims are allowed to do other things related to their hobby.
Some of the sub-hobbies I have listed are available via mods which I have linked where appropriate below.
Some sub-hobbies can only be performed by Teens-Elders. A toddler and child can, therefore, practice their One True Hobby in other ways until they're old enough to do their sub-hobby.
Some of these sub-hobbies don't actually gain enthusiasm for the hobby, but that doesn't bother me as I primarily use this system to develop a Sims personality rather than build enthusiasm for a hobby. Where I am actively trying to build enthusiasm, I will have them also do other activities related to their hobby which will build enthusiasm.
Arts & Crafts
Painting
Toy Making
Sewing
Viewing Art, Collecting Art, Visiting Art Galleries
Candle Making (via mod)
Street Art (via mod)
Knitting (via mod)
Digital Sketchpad (via mod)
Photography
*Check out this mod
Flower Arranging
*Check out this 4t2 flower arranging set
Pottery/Sculpting
*Check out this mod for kids to do pottery
*Check out these default replacements
Drafting Table - Custom/Scene Only
*Check out these mods to rename draft to draw, and to make blue prints increase tinkering enthusiasm whilst scene and custom still build Arts & Crafts enthusiasm.
*Hoping there are 4t2 cross-stitching/paper-crafting mods out there somewhere, if I find it I'll add them in.
Cuisine
Cooking
Baking
Grilling/BBQ
Dining Out/Writing Restaurant Guides
Hosting Dinner Parties
Cooking Competitions
Watching Cooking Channel
Bar Tending/Making Drinks (including nectar)
*See some nice default replacements for nectar bar and tray/glasses
Chocolate Making (Career Reward)
*Check out this version which improves on the maxis original and also includes default replacements chocolate boxes
*There is an extensive set of food preservation mods you could use for a preservation/canning sub-hobby, but it's a bit much for my game. I am hoping there are 4t2 canning mods out there somewhere, if I find it I'll add them in.
*Hoping there is a 4t2 nectar making/juice fizzing mods out there, if I find them I'll link them in.
Film & Literature
Reading Books
Writing Novels
Diary Writing
Blogging
Watching TV
Watching Films
Storytelling
Recite Poetry (microphone)
Writing Articles
Reading Magazines/Newspaper
*I use the base game magazine and the film & literature hobby magazine.
*Check out these mods to either eliminate or reduce interest gain from the magazines
Fitness
Swimming
Yoga
Jogging
Treadmill
Exercise Bike
Weight Machines
Punching Bag / Training Bot (via mod)
TV / Radio Workouts
Tai Chi
Kicky Bag
Obstacle Course (Career Reward)
Lifting Weights (via mod)
Jump Rope (mod for fitness gain)
Rock Wall Climbing (via mod)
Oxygen Bar (via mod)
Games
Chess
Darts
Poker
Pool
Bowling
MahJong
Don't Wake the Lllama
PC Games
Console Games (TV)
Handheld Console Games
VR Headset Game (via mod)
Tamagotchi (via mod)
Myshuno (bingo)
*Check out this default replacement
Pinball/Fruit Machines
*Also can include custom functional objects: Skeeball, Basketball Game, Hockey Net, Foosball Table, Arcade Machines.
*Hoping there is a 4t2 puzzles from Growing Together out there somewhere, if I find it I'll add it in.
Music & Dance
Nature
Bug Collecting
Bird Watching / Bird Cage
Cloud Gazing
Fishing
Hiking
Camping Outdoors
Zen Garden / Bonsai Tree (via mod)
Gardening - Aesthetic (flowers/trees)
Gardening - Allotment (fruit/veg)
Gardening - Greenhouse
Womrat
Berry Picking  (via mod)
Bee Keeping  (via mod)
Chicken Coop (via mod)
Rodents  (via mod)
Lizards  (via mod)
Cow Plant (Career Reward)
Hydroponic Garden (Career Reward)
Aquarium/ Koi Pond (Career Reward)
*see this default replacement here
Beach Activities
*sun bathing, watching waves, combing for sea shells, building sandcastles
*Hoping there is a 4t2 insect farms from Eco Lifestyle, if I find it I'll add it in.
Science
Telescope
Stargazing (on ground)
Microscope (via mod)
Ant Farm (in game) / Terrariums (via mod)
Biotech Station (Career Reward)
Surgical Training (Career Reward)
Cosmetic Station (Career Reward)
Weather Channel/Weather Machine (Aspiration Reward)
Finger Print Scanner (Career Reward - requires mod for science enthusiasm gain)
Science Puzzles (via mod)
Sports
Baseball (catch)
Football (toss)
Soccer (net)
Kicky Bag
Bowling
Ax Throwing
Log Rolling
Watching Sports
Punch Bag
Mini Golf (Career Reward)
Basketball (in game + via mod)
Snowboarding (via mod)
Roller Skating
*Check out this mod which adds skating to driveways
*Check out this mod that adds a box of skates so your Sims can skate around
Ice Skating
*Check out the mods under roller skating above
Tinkering
Restoring Cars
Robot Crafting
Repairing/Tinkering with Objects
Train Set
Remote Control Toys (in game + UFO via mod)
Woodworking (via mod)
Drafting Table - Blueprints Only (mod for blueprints to gain tinkering)
*Hoping there is a 4t2 fabrication mod out there somewhere, if I find it I'll add it in.