Guide

Gimkit Host Guide: How to Create, Start, and Lead a Game

Published

1 month ago

November 11, 2025

Admin

Gimkit Host Guide: How to Create, Start, and Lead a Game

Have you ever wanted to make your classroom more fun while students still learn something useful? That’s exactly what Gimkit helps you do. It’s a fun quiz game where students earn virtual money by answering questions, and they can use that money to buy upgrades or power-ups.

But what if you want to run your own Gimkit game? That’s where being a Gimkit host comes in.

As a host, you’re the person who sets up the game, chooses the questions, and starts the session. You control how long the game lasts, how students join, and how the game feels. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create your own Gimkit game, host it with confidence, and make sure your students love playing it. It’s easier than you think, and we’ll explain every step in a simple way.

Let’s get started!

What You Need to Host a Gimkit Game

Before you host your first Gimkit game, let’s look at what you need. Don’t worry—it’s a short list!

You need a Gimkit account. You can create one for free at gimkit.com.
You’ll need a device like a computer, laptop, or tablet.
A stable internet connection is important to keep everything running smoothly.
If you’re in a classroom, having a projector or screen is helpful so students can see the game code.

There are two types of plans—Gimkit Basic (free) and Gimkit Pro (paid). The free plan lets you try a few game modes and run live sessions. The Pro plan gives you more features like assignments, advanced reports, and full access to all game styles.

If you’re just starting, the free version works just fine!

How to Create Your First Kit

A “Kit” in Gimkit is a set of questions and answers—kind of like flashcards. It’s the content your students will see during the game. You can make your own kit or use one that’s already made.

To create your own kit:

Log in and click “New Kit”.
Pick a subject or name your kit.
Add your questions and answers (you can choose multiple choice or short text).
You can also add images if needed.

Want to save time? Use the import feature to bring in flashcards you already made in another tool like Quizlet.

You can also browse public kits created by other teachers. Just search by topic, grade level, or subject, and you’ll find plenty to pick from.

Use KitCollab to Build Kits Together

Want your students to help build the game? That’s what KitCollab is for.

With KitCollab, your students can submit questions for the kit. You (the Gimkit host) get to review and approve each one. This keeps the content correct, but also lets students feel more involved.

For example, in a science class, you can ask each student to write one question based on today’s lesson. By the end of class, you have a full kit—built by your students!

It’s a great way to save time and boost participation. Students love seeing their own questions pop up during the game!

Choosing the Right Gimkit Game Mode

Gimkit isn’t just one game—it offers many different game modes, and each one feels a little different.

Here are a few popular ones:

Classic Mode – Every player plays for themselves. Great for review.
Team Mode – Players are grouped into teams and work together.
Trust No One – Like Among Us, students answer questions while figuring out who’s the “Impostor.”
Snowbrawl, Floor is Lava, and other 2D games – These are fun, animated modes that add movement and action.

Each mode fits a different vibe. If you want something quick, Classic is great. For teamwork, try Team Mode. If your class is feeling a bit sleepy, the 2D games can really wake them up!

Choosing the right game mode is one of the most fun parts of being a Gimkit host.

How to Start a Gimkit Live Game as Host

Once your kit is ready, it’s time to go live! This is where you really become a Gimkit host.

Here’s how to do it:

Go to your kit and click “Play Live”.
Pick your game mode (like Classic or Team).
Set the game length (time limit or cash goal).
Choose options like:
- Can students join late?
- Use nickname generator?
- Show leaderboard?

Then you’ll get a join code and a link to share with your students. You can also use the Instant Join feature if you’re using classes—this lets students jump in automatically without typing the code.

Once everyone has joined, click Start and your game begins!

Being a Gimkit host is that simple—you pick the kit, set the rules, and press play.

Gimkit Host Tools and Settings

As the game runs, you’ll see a special host dashboard. This is your control panel during the game.

From here, you can:

Pause the game at any time (helpful if you need to give instructions).
Mute or change music to fit the class mood.
See the live leaderboard.
Watch how much money each player or team is earning.
Remove any players using inappropriate names.

It’s like being the DJ of a classroom quiz party! You control the flow, the fun, and the feedback.

You don’t need to be techy to use it—just click what you need. It’s all clearly marked and easy to use.

How to Keep the Game Fun and Engaging

Once your Gimkit game starts, your job as the host isn’t over. You still want to keep the room alive and excited. Even if the game is short, energy matters!

Start by reminding students to read questions carefully. It’s easy to rush and lose points. Tell them to focus and take their time.

You can also talk during the game. Say things like “Great job, Alex!” or “That’s a fast move!” It makes students feel seen and keeps them playing their best. If the pace feels slow, try shortening the goal or adjusting the timer to speed things up. Small changes can make a big difference.

What to Do After the Game Ends

When the game is over, don’t just shut it down and move on. This is your chance to review what students learned.

Go to the Reports section in your dashboard. You’ll see who did well, what questions were missed most, and how long students stayed focused. These reports are super helpful for planning your next lesson.

You can even save or export the report to your computer or email. Some teachers show it on the screen and talk about it. Others use it privately to adjust their teaching. Either way, it helps you grow as a Gimkit host and as a teacher.

Gimkit Host Tip: Use Assignments for Solo Play

Sometimes, you don’t have time for a live game. Or maybe you want students to practice on their own. That’s where Assignments come in.

You can turn any Kit into an Assignment. Set the goal (like answer 15 questions or earn $10,000), and share the link with your class. Students can play at home or during free time.

Assignments are also great for quiet learning, test prep, or even extra credit. As a Gimkit host, this gives you more options beyond live play—and your students can still enjoy the game, even if they’re working alone.

Troubleshooting Common Hosting Problems

Even simple tools like Gimkit can have small problems. Don’t worry—most are easy to fix!

Problem 1: Students can’t join Make sure the code is correct and the internet is stable. Instant-Join (if you’re using Classes) makes this much easier.

Problem 2: Game is lagging Ask students to close other tabs. Also, avoid running too many programs at once on your device.

Problem 3: Players are using silly or rude nicknames Turn on the Nickname Generator before starting the game. It picks fun and clean names for everyone automatically.

Problem 4: Questions feel too hard or too easy Balance your Kit. Mix easy, medium, and hard questions. Ask your students what felt fair and adjust next time.

The more you host, the smoother things will get. These small issues won’t stop you for long.

Extra Tips for Being a Great Gimkit Host

Want your sessions to stand out? Try these tips that many teachers love:

Start each session with 2 or 3 sample questions so students know what to expect.
Change game modes every week to keep it fresh.
Use Classes to make setup faster and player names safer.
Ask for feedback after each game. Ask your students: “Was that too fast?” or “What was your favorite part?”

Remember, hosting isn’t just about pushing play. It’s about creating a great experience. And the better you plan, the more students will love it—and want to play again.

Conclusion

Hosting a Gimkit game is simple, fun, and one of the best ways to turn learning into something students actually enjoy. You don’t need to be a tech expert. Just follow the steps: create your kit, pick a fun mode, share the join code, and lead your game with confidence.

The more you host, the easier it gets. Your students will start asking, “Can we play Gimkit today?”—and that’s when you know you’ve done something right.

So go ahead. Open your dashboard, create your first kit, and start hosting your very first Gimkit game today.

You’ve got this!