Table of Contents
Introduction
If you are a teacher looking for a simple way to make classroom review more interactive, Gimkit can be a useful option. Instead of asking students to complete a normal worksheet or quiz, you can turn questions into a live game where students answer questions, earn rewards, and take part from their own devices.
The teacher takes the role of the Gimkit host. As the host, you choose the Kit, select a game mode, adjust the available game options, give students a way to join, and start the session. You can also manage parts of the game while students are playing.
The good news is that the basic process is straightforward. Gimkit’s current official instructions describe the live hosting flow as selecting a Kit, choosing a game mode, setting game options, sharing a game code or join link, and starting the game.
This guide explains the complete process in simple terms. You will learn how to prepare a game, get students into the lobby, choose useful settings, handle common problems, and use the results as part of your teaching.
What Is a Gimkit Host?
A Gimkit host is usually the teacher or educator who runs a live Gimkit game for students.
Think of the host as the person managing the classroom activity. Students are the players, while the host prepares and controls the session. Before the game starts, the host chooses what students will play and sets options that can affect how the activity works.
The host also controls the lobby. This is the place where students gather before the game begins. Gimkit’s current hosting guide says that the lobby displays the game code and lets the teacher see students as they join. In some modes, the host can also remove inappropriate names before starting.
This makes Gimkit different from simply sending students a quiz. You are running a live classroom activity and can use it as part of a lesson, review session, or knowledge check.
For example, imagine that your class has just finished a lesson about the American Revolution. You could prepare a Kit containing questions about important dates, people, events, and vocabulary. At the end of the lesson, you host a short live game. Students answer the questions while you watch how the class performs.
That gives you two benefits: students get an interactive review activity, and you get information that can help you decide what needs more explanation.
How to Host a Gimkit Game Step by Step
The basic hosting process can be broken into a few clear stages. You do not need to make the setup complicated.
1. Log In or Create Your Gimkit Account
Teachers need a Gimkit account to create Kits and host games. Gimkit currently offers free Educator accounts, and its official account guide says creating an account is free. New accounts also receive a 14-day trial of Gimkit Pro before moving to the free Gimkit Basic option if the user does not upgrade.
When setting up your account, select the Educator option rather than the Student option.
This distinction matters because the teacher account is where you create Kits, manage classes, and host games.
Before your first class, take a few minutes to explore your dashboard. Find your Kits, classes, and the controls for starting a live game. Doing this before students arrive is much easier than trying to learn the interface while a classroom is waiting.
2. Choose an Existing Kit or Create One
Once you are signed in, choose the content you want to use.
You can use a Kit you have already created or prepare a new one. If you are creating a Kit from scratch, Gimkit’s current instructions allow teachers to enter the Kit information and add their own questions and answers.
When writing questions, focus on your lesson objective rather than simply adding as many questions as possible.
For example, if your goal is to check vocabulary, make the questions test vocabulary. If your goal is to review math skills, make sure the questions require students to use those skills.
A short, focused Kit can be more useful than a very long one.
Before hosting, check:
- Are the questions accurate?
- Are the correct answers marked correctly?
- Are the questions suitable for the students’ level?
- Are the answer choices clear?
- Do the questions match the lesson?
- Are there any confusing or repeated questions?
Gimkit’s Kit creation tools support adding questions, correct and incorrect answers, and media where available. Some features, such as audio questions, can depend on the account plan.
3. Select a Game Mode
After choosing your Kit, start the live-game process.
Gimkit’s current hosting instructions say to use the Play Live option from the dashboard or from inside a Kit. You then reach the Mode Picker, where you can browse available game modes.
The best game mode depends on your goal.
If you are doing a quick review, choose something that keeps students focused on answering questions. If you want more collaboration, a mode designed around group activity may be a better fit.
Do not choose a mode only because it looks exciting. Think about what you want students to learn.
For a 10-minute vocabulary review, a simple mode may be enough. For a longer Friday review session, you might choose a mode that gives students more time to interact with the game.
The available modes can change, so check the current Mode Picker when planning your activity.
4. Adjust the Game Options
After selecting a mode, Gimkit takes you to the game options screen.
The available options depend on the mode you choose. Gimkit currently allows hosts to configure options such as whether students can join late, connect classes, use the Nickname Generator, and select game goals where supported.
This is an important step because the settings can change the classroom experience.
Before clicking Continue, ask yourself:
- How long should the activity last?
- Should students be allowed to join after the game begins?
- Do I want students using generated nicknames?
- What game goal makes sense for this lesson?
- Do I want the class connected to an existing Gimkit class?
You do not need to change every available option. If you are new to Gimkit, start with the basic settings and become more comfortable with advanced controls over time.
5. Start the Live Game and Open the Lobby
After setting your options, continue to the lobby.
This is where students will gather before the game begins. Your game code will appear in the lobby, and Gimkit also provides other joining methods.
Do not immediately start the game.
First, give students time to join. Look at the names appearing in the lobby and make sure the expected students are there.
This small pause can prevent a common classroom problem: starting the activity and then discovering that several students never managed to enter.
Once everyone is ready, click Start Game.
How Students Join a Gimkit Host Game
Getting students into the game is usually one of the easiest parts once you know what to tell them.
Gimkit currently provides three main ways for students to join a live game: a game code, a QR code, or a direct join link.
Share the Gimkit Join Code
The traditional approach is to display the game code on your teacher screen.
Students can visit gimkit.com/join and enter the code shown on your screen. Gimkit’s student joining instructions describe this as the standard process for students who are not joining automatically through a class.
You can simply tell students:
- Open a browser.
- Go to the Gimkit join page.
- Enter the game code.
- Enter or approve their name.
- Wait in the lobby.
Keep the code visible while students are joining. This is especially useful if a student arrives late and needs to enter the game.
Use a QR Code
A QR code can make the process faster when students are using tablets or phones.
Gimkit says that hosts can hover over the game code to display a QR code. Students can then scan it to join the game.
For a classroom with many students, this can save time because students do not have to type the code manually.
If you are projecting your teacher screen at the front of the room, simply leave the joining information visible while students enter.
Share the Join Link
You can also share a direct join link.
Gimkit’s current live-game guide explains that the host can click the game code to copy a link directly to the game.
This can be particularly useful for remote classes. Instead of asking students to type a code, you can put the link into your classroom platform or chat.
For example:
Teacher: “Open the class message, click the Gimkit link, and wait for the lobby to appear.”
That can be easier for younger students or classes working remotely.
Check the Lobby Before Starting
The lobby is more than a waiting room.
Use it as your final check.
Look at the student names and make sure the correct students are joining. If a student has entered an inappropriate name, Gimkit’s current hosting instructions note that hosts can remove inappropriate names in the lobby for relevant game modes.
Once the class is ready, start the game.
Gimkit Host Settings and Controls Teachers Should Know
You do not need to become an expert in every feature before hosting your first game. Start with the controls that have the biggest effect on your classroom.
Game Settings
Game options vary by mode. Some settings affect the goal of the game, how students can join, and other parts of the experience.
Read the options before starting rather than clicking through them quickly.
If you are unsure about a setting, keep the default option for your first session and make changes after you understand how the game works.
Scoring and Rewards
Many Gimkit modes use game mechanics such as scoring, rewards, or other incentives.
These can make a review session more exciting, but remember that your learning objective should come first.
For example, if you are reviewing multiplication, explain that the goal is not simply to finish first. The purpose is to practice accurate multiplication.
Leaderboards
Leaderboards can add excitement, but they are not always the best choice for every group.
Some classes enjoy friendly competition. Other students may focus too much on ranking.
Think about your students before turning the activity into a highly competitive event.
You can frame the leaderboard as one part of the activity rather than the main purpose.
Host Controls During the Game
Gimkit provides game controls for hosts. The exact controls can vary by mode.
Its current documentation says hosts can manage elements such as music and sound effects, display the leaderboard, view players, manage their own game participation in certain 2D modes, and end the game.
For a teacher, the most important idea is simple: you are not just watching the game. You have tools to manage the session.
Before class, locate the control panel so you know where it is. That way, you will not waste time looking for an option while students are playing.
How Teachers Can Use Gimkit for Better Classroom Learning
A Gimkit game works best when it has a clear teaching purpose.
The platform can make review more interactive, but the questions still need to be useful.
Use Gimkit for Knowledge Checks
A knowledge check can help you see whether students understand a topic.
For example, after teaching the water cycle, create questions about:
- Evaporation
- Condensation
- Precipitation
- Collection
- The role of heat from the sun
After the game, look at the questions students struggled with.
If many students missed a question about condensation, that may be a sign that the concept needs another explanation.
Use It for Review Sessions
Gimkit can work well before a test or after completing a unit.
Instead of reviewing every topic in the same way, use a game to identify weak areas.
For example:
Monday: Teach a science topic.
Tuesday: Practice with normal classwork.
Wednesday: Host a short Gimkit review.
Thursday: Re-teach the topics that caused the most problems.
This turns the game into part of a larger teaching strategy.
Connect Questions to Learning Objectives
Before creating your Kit, write down one simple objective.
For example:
“Students will identify the main causes of the American Revolution.”
Then make sure your questions support that goal.
This is better than creating random questions simply because they are easy to write.
A good question should help you learn something about student understanding.
Use Wrong Answers as Teaching Opportunities
A wrong answer does not have to be the end of the activity.
If many students choose the same incorrect answer, pause after the game and discuss why that answer was tempting.
For example, if a history question has two similar dates and most students select the wrong one, explain the difference.
This turns immediate feedback into a short teaching conversation.
Keep Competition Healthy
Gamification can increase excitement, but not every student enjoys intense competition.
Use clear rules and remind students that the purpose is learning.
You can also focus on improvement rather than only the final ranking.
For example:
“Try to beat your previous accuracy.”
That gives students a goal without making the entire activity about being number one.
Gimkit Hosting Tips for a Smooth Class Session
A few minutes of preparation can make your first Gimkit host experience much easier.
Test Everything Before Class
Open your Kit and check the questions.
Then review the game mode and settings.
If possible, test the joining process before students arrive. You do not want the first technical test to happen with 30 students watching.
Prepare the Join Instructions
Write a simple instruction on the board:
1. Go to gimkit.com/join
2. Enter the game code
3. Enter your name
4. Wait for the teacher
This is especially useful for younger students.
You can also display the QR code if students are using devices with cameras.
Keep the Code Visible
Leave the joining information on your teacher screen while students are entering.
If a student joins late, they can see the code without interrupting the class.
Start With a Short Game
If this is your first time hosting, do not make the first session unnecessarily complicated.
A 10- to 15-minute activity can be enough to learn how the system works.
Once you are comfortable, you can experiment with different game modes and more advanced options.
Have a Backup Plan
Technology can fail.
A student might have a dead battery. A browser might stop responding. A classroom network might become slow.
Have a simple offline activity ready.
This does not mean your Gimkit game failed. It means you planned for normal classroom problems.
Explain the Rules Before Starting
Do not assume every student understands the game.
Give a short explanation:
- What are we reviewing?
- How do you join?
- What is the goal?
- How long will we play?
- What should you do if your device stops working?
Clear instructions can prevent many interruptions.
Reviewing Results and Student Performance After the Game
The game should not necessarily be the end of the learning activity.
One of the most useful things a teacher can do is look at the results and decide what to do next.
Gimkit says that its free Basic plan allows Educators to host games, create classes, and collect game reports without limitations on those functions.
Use the available reports and analytics to look for patterns.
You might ask:
- Which questions were difficult?
- Which topics need another explanation?
- Did students improve compared with an earlier review?
- Were there questions that caused confusion?
- Which concepts should appear in the next lesson?
For example, imagine that your class answers 15 questions about fractions. Students perform well on adding fractions but struggle with comparing fractions.
Your next lesson can spend more time on comparing fractions.
That is much more useful than simply saying, “The class played a game today.”
Turn Results Into Follow-Up Activities
Results can lead to another activity.
If students struggle with vocabulary, create a short vocabulary exercise.
If students struggle with one math skill, give them targeted practice.
If students misunderstand a science concept, explain it again using a diagram or example.
This creates a simple cycle:
Teach → Practice → Play → Review results → Re-teach → Practice again
That is where a classroom game can provide real value.
Common Gimkit Host Problems and How to Fix Them
Even when the basic process is simple, technical problems can happen.
Students Cannot Join
First, check the game code.
Ask the student to enter the current code again. If you shared an old code from an earlier game, make sure everyone is using the code from the current lobby.
Students can also use the direct join link or QR code when available.
The Join Code Is Not Working
Make sure students are entering the current game code and that they are using the correct Gimkit join page.
If you are hosting a new game, avoid leaving an old code on the classroom board.
The simplest fix is often to display the current lobby again and have everyone check the code.
A Student Is Having Login Problems
Students generally do not need their own Gimkit account to join live games. Gimkit’s current account FAQ specifically states that students can play live games and assignments without an account or logging in.
If a student is being asked to log in, check whether they are following the normal live-game joining process or trying to access something that requires an account.
The Game Is Slow or Not Loading
Check the student’s device and internet connection first.
If several students have the same problem at once, the issue may be related to the classroom network rather than one student’s device.
Gimkit also notes that larger games require a more reliable connection because more players create more network demand.
Remote Students Cannot Join
For online classes, send students the direct join link instead of relying only on a spoken game code.
Ask students to open the link in a supported browser and keep the teacher’s joining instructions visible in the virtual classroom.
A short test before the actual lesson can prevent delays.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gimkit Host
How do I host a Gimkit game?
Choose a Kit, select Play Live, choose a game mode, adjust the available settings, share the join information, and start the game.
Do students need a Gimkit account to join?
Students generally do not need their own account to join a live Gimkit game.
Is Gimkit free for teachers?
Gimkit offers a free educator option, although some features and game modes may depend on the current plan.
Can I host a Gimkit game remotely?
Yes. Teachers can share the game code or direct join link with students during an online class.
What should I do if students cannot join Gimkit?
Check the current game code, joining page, browser, and internet connection. You can also try the QR code or direct join link.
Conclusion
Being a Gimkit host is easier when you think of the process as a simple classroom workflow.
First, prepare a Kit that matches your learning objective. Next, choose a suitable game mode and review the available settings. Open the lobby, share the game code, QR code, or join link, and give students time to enter. Once everyone is ready, start the game and use the available host controls to manage the session.
The most important part is what happens after the game.
Use the questions students struggled with to decide what to review next. A live game can be fun, but its biggest value for a teacher comes from connecting the activity to actual learning.
If you are new to Gimkit, start small. Try one short review game, learn how the lobby and controls work, and then experiment with different modes and settings.
With a little preparation, you can turn a normal review session into an interactive classroom activity while still keeping the focus on what students are supposed to learn.