Gimkit is one of the most exciting tools you can use in a classroom today. It is more than just a quiz; it is a game that feels like a real video game. Many teachers ask how they can make Gimkit lessons that their students will actually love. The good news is that it is very easy to learn. You do not need to be a computer expert to get started. All you need is a little bit of time and some creative ideas to turn a boring lesson into a fun competition. When you make Gimkit games, you give your students a chance to earn “money” and buy power-ups while they learn new facts. It is a win-win for everyone in the room!
Gimkit Creator Information Table
| Feature | Details |
| Creator | Josh Feinsilber |
| Initial Release | 2017 |
| Platform Type | Educational Game-Based Learning |
| Core Mechanic | Earning “In-game Currency” via Questions |
| Top Keywords | make gimkit, gimkit join, gimkit creative |
| Best For | K-12 Teachers and Students |
What Exactly Is Gimkit?
Gimkit is a digital game show created by a high school student. It was designed to keep kids focused and happy while they study. Unlike other quiz apps, this one lets students spend the points they earn. They can buy things in the shop to help them get more points or even slow down their friends. When you make Gimkit part of your school day, you are using a tool built by someone who knows what students find boring. It makes kids want to answer questions over and over again so they can reach the top of the leaderboard.
Setting Up Your Free Account
Before you can make Gimkit magic happen, you need an account. Go to the website and sign up as a teacher. You can use your school email or a Google account to make it fast. Once you are in, you will see a dashboard where all your “Kits” live. A Kit is just a fancy word for a set of questions. Setting up your profile only takes a minute, and then you are ready to start building your first game. It is a very simple process that even a fifth-grader could handle without any help.
How to Make Gimkit Kits from Scratch
The best way to start is to click the “New Kit” button. You will give your project a name and pick a language and subject. Now you can add questions! You can type them in one by one or even import them from other places. To make Gimkit fun, try to use a mix of easy and hard questions. This keeps the game fair for everyone. You can also add images to your questions to make them look better. Adding a picture of a map or a science diagram helps visual learners understand the topic much faster.
Using the Gimkit Join Feature
Once your Kit is ready, you need your students to play. When you start a live game, the screen will show a gimkit join code. This is a special number that students type into their own devices. They just go to the join website, enter the code, and pick a funny name. It is very fast and works on tablets, phones, or computers. Seeing the names pop up on the screen is always a highlight for the class. Once everyone is in, you hit the start button and the learning begins immediately.
Exploring Gimkit Creative Modes
If you want to take things to the next level, you should try gimkit creative. This is a special mode where you can build your own 2D worlds. Instead of just a list of questions, students walk around a map as a little character. You can place question stations anywhere you want. This mode feels exactly like a real video game like Pokémon or Zelda. When you make Gimkit maps in Creative, you are giving your students a totally unique experience that they will talk about for the rest of the week.
How to Use Gimkit Live for Reviews
Using gimkit live is the most common way to play in a classroom. The teacher hosts the game on the big screen while students play on their own. There are many different game modes to choose from, like “Trust No One” or “Snowball Fight.” These modes change the rules of the game to keep things fresh. If you make Gimkit a weekly event, these different modes will ensure the students never get bored of the same old routine. It is a great way to review for a big test on a Friday.
Finding Premade Kits Online
You do not always have to work hard to make Gimkit content. There is a huge library of Kits made by other teachers. You can search for topics like “Long Division” or “State Capitals” and find a Kit that is already finished. You can even copy these Kits and edit them to fit your specific needs. This saves you so much time during a busy school week. Using other people’s work is a smart way to get the most out of the platform without spending hours typing.
Tips for Balancing the Game Economy
One secret to a great game is the shop. Students earn money for every right answer. They can spend this money to multiply their earnings or buy “insurance” for when they get a question wrong. When you make Gimkit sessions, you can actually adjust how much things cost. If the game is too easy, you can make items more expensive. If it is too hard, you can lower the prices. This balance is what makes the game exciting and keeps students engaged until the very last second of the timer.
Assigning Gimkit as Homework
Did you know you can make Gimkit work outside of class? You can assign a Kit as a “reassigned” task or homework. Students can play at their own pace at home to reach a certain goal. They still earn money and buy power-ups, but they aren’t racing against their classmates in real-time. This is a fantastic way to get kids to practice their vocabulary or math facts without them complaining about doing homework. They will likely play it more than once just to get a better score!
Why Students Love Gimkit So Much
The main reason to make Gimkit a staple in your room is the joy it brings. Traditional flashcards are boring, but a game where you can “iced” a friend or go “invisible” is awesome. It taps into the natural competitive spirit of children. Even students who usually don’t participate will start shouting with excitement when they win a big prize in the game. It builds a positive classroom culture where learning is seen as a fun challenge rather than a chore to be finished.
Conclusion
Learning how to make Gimkit games is one of the best things a teacher can do to spice up their lessons. Whether you are using gimkit live for a quick review or exploring gimkit creative to build an adventure, the results are always the same: happy, engaged students. It is simple to set up, easy to play, and very effective for teaching. So, go ahead and create your first Kit today. Your students will definitely thank you for making school feel a little bit more like a game!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it free to make Gimkit accounts?
Yes! There is a great free version called Gimkit Basic. It lets you create Kits and play the main game modes with your class. There is also a paid version with more features, but the free one is perfect for getting started.
2. How do students use the gimkit join code?
Students go to the Gimkit website and click on the “Join Game” button. They then type in the 5 or 6-digit code that appears on the teacher’s screen. They don’t even need an account to play!
3. Can I make Gimkit games for any subject?
Absolutely. You can make Gimkit quizzes for math, science, history, or even gym class. If you can write a question about it, you can turn it into a game for your students.
4. What is the difference between Gimkit and Kahoot?
While both are fun, Gimkit focuses more on a “game economy.” Students earn and spend currency to buy power-ups. This makes the game feel more strategic and allows students to catch up even if they start slow.
5. How many students can play at once?
In the standard version, you can have a large class of students all playing in the same game. It is designed to handle big groups, so no one has to sit out and watch.
6. Can I use gimkit creative on a tablet?
Yes, gimkit creative and the regular game modes work on most devices with a web browser. This includes iPads, Chromebooks, and even smartphones, making it very accessible for everyone.
