By Henry 
Imagine walking into your classroom (or opening your virtual session) and instantly hearing the buzz of excited students: “Is it Gimkit day?!” That’s the power of hosting a Gimkit game. As a Gimkit host, you turn review sessions into high-energy competitions where kids answer questions, earn virtual cash, and strategize to win. No more blank stares during formative assessments. Instead, you get full participation and genuine learning. I’ve been using Gimkit since its early days, and let me tell you: once you master hosting like a pro, you’ll wonder how you ever taught without it.
This guide walks you through everything from setup to advanced tricks. Whether you’re a K-12 teacher running daily reviews, a corporate trainer building team skills, or an EdTech specialist supporting remote sessions, these steps will help you maximize student engagement with minimal hassle.
Gimkit stands out among student engagement tools because it combines interactive quizzes with game-based learning. Students don’t just answer questions; they invest earnings in power-ups, collaborate in teams, or compete in 2D worlds. Research shows gamified learning boosts retention by up to 90% compared to traditional methods, and Gimkit delivers that through virtual currency and strategy.
From my experience, the biggest win is classroom management. Students stay focused because they’re invested in winning. Late joiners? No problem. Remote learners? Easy. Formative assessment data? Automatic reports. Hosting a Gimkit session turns passive review into active fun, and it’s free to start.
Before hosting, build your foundation.
- Sign Up or Log In Head to gimkit.com and create a free teacher account. Use your school email for easy verification. Pro tip: Upgrade to Gimkit Pro if you want unlimited modes and assignments, but the free version covers most needs.
- Create or Choose a Kit A “kit” is your quiz. From the dashboard (gimkit.com/me), click “New Kit” to build one from scratch or import questions. Add multiple-choice, true/false, or open-ended items. Organize by topic for quick reuse. I always include 20-30 questions for a solid 15-20 minute game.
- Use Classes for Easy Management Create classes to roster students. This enables instant joins without codes, keeps games private, and organizes reports. Go to the Classes tab, add students, and connect them during hosting.
Ready to host? Follow these steps for a smooth session.
- Select Your Kit On the dashboard, find your kit and click the green “Play Live” button. Or open the kit and choose “Play Live” from the side pane.
- Pick a Game Mode The Mode Picker pops up. Browse options and click “Learn More” for details. Popular choices include:
- Classic (Tycoon): Students earn cash, buy power-ups, and race to a cash goal.
- Snowbrawl: 2D snowball fight with questions.
- Don’t Look Down: Platformer-style survival.
- Fishtopia: Fishing with strategy. Start with Classic for simplicity; try 2D modes for extra excitement.
- Customize Game Options Adjust settings to fit your class:
- Game goals (time limit, cash target, questions answered).
- Allow late joins (default on).
- Enable Nickname Generator for safe, random names.
- Connect your class for instant access.
- Set player maximum (up to 500, but keep under 100 for best performance).
- Share the Game Code or Link In the lobby, copy the code or link. Display the QR code for quick scans. Students go to gimkit.com/join and enter it. With classes, they join instantly.
- Start the Game When everyone is in, hit “Start Game.” Monitor the lobby to kick any inappropriate names.
Match modes to your goals:
- Classic/Team Tycoon: Great for individual or team review; focuses on strategy and cash management.
- Snowbrawl or Don’t Look Down: High-energy 2D action; perfect for energizing a Friday afternoon.
- Fishtopia: Collaborative fishing with power-ups; builds teamwork.
- Blastball or Dig It Up: Newer modes with unique mechanics.
For large groups, stick to non-2D modes to avoid lag. For remote learning, 2D modes keep students engaged visually.
Tweak options for maximum impact:
- Large Groups: Enable “Join in Late,” set cash goals higher, and use team modes. Max players: 500, but test with 100+ for smoothness.
- Remote Sessions: Share links via Zoom chat; use classes for auto-join.
- Formative Assessment: Turn on detailed reports; adjust question difficulty.
- Engagement Boost: Allow power-ups; add time mid-game if needed.
I once hosted a 120-student session with team tycoon. By splitting into small teams, everyone stayed involved without chaos.
During play:
- In 2D modes, toggle spectator view to monitor students.
- Use quick actions (non-2D) to balance teams or add fun.
- End early if time runs short.
- Mute music/SFX if needed.
Keep energy high: Announce leaderboards, celebrate power-up use, and tie wins to small rewards.
Most problems are quick fixes:
- Connection Issues: Ensure school firewalls allow gimkitconnect.com domains.
- Lag in 2D Modes: Reduce player count or switch modes.
- Students Can’t Join: Double-check code; use QR or instant-join with classes.
- Browser Problems: Clear cache or try Chrome.
Test your setup 5 minutes early.
- Integrate with Lessons: Use kits for pre-tests, then host for review.
- Remote Learning: Share links in Google Classroom; host from home.
- Data-Driven Teaching: Review reports for question breakdowns; reteach weak areas.
- Student-Led Sessions: Let advanced students host review games.
Hosting Gimkit games becomes second nature after a few tries. Start small with Classic mode, then experiment. You’ll see participation soar and learning stick.
3 Tips to Try Today:
- Create one kit this week and host a short game.
- Use classes for seamless joins.
- Check reports after every session.
What’s your favorite game mode? Drop a comment below or share your hosting stories. Happy hosting!
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How do I become a Gimkit host for free?
Sign up at gimkit.com; the free plan lets you create kits and host live games with basic modes.
What are the best Gimkit host settings for large groups?
Use non-2D modes, enable late joins, connect classes, and keep players under 200 for smooth performance.
How do I host a Gimkit live game remotely?
Share the join link or QR code via video call; students use gimkit.com/join.
Can students join late in a Gimkit game?
Yes, toggle “Join in Late” in options; it’s on by default.
What game modes work best for formative assessment?
Classic or Team Tycoon; they focus on questions without distracting 2D elements.
How do I view reports after a game?
Click “View Report” at end or go to dashboard > kit > three-dot menu > Reports.
Is Gimkit safe for school use?
Yes; use Nickname Generator and classes to keep names appropriate.