How to Be a Great Gimkit Host

What Does It Mean to Be a Gimkit Host?

Gimkit is a fun and interactive quiz game used mostly in classrooms. It turns learning into a competitive game where students answer questions and earn virtual money. As a Gimkit host, you’re the one in charge of setting up and running the game. Teachers are usually the hosts, but sometimes students can host games too, if allowed by the school or teacher.

Being a host means more than just clicking “start.” You control how the game runs, which game mode to use, and how long it lasts. You make the rules and manage what happens in real-time. It’s like being the referee and the DJ all at once. The host helps guide the class through the game, makes sure things run smoothly, and can pause or stop the game if needed. It’s simple to learn, and once you’ve hosted a game or two, it becomes second nature.

Getting Started as a Gimkit Host

The first step is creating a Gimkit account. You can sign up for free at gimkit.com using your email or a Google account. Once you’re in, you’ll land on your dashboard. From there, you can either make a new quiz (called a “Kit”) or use one from the library. You can build your kit by adding multiple-choice or short-answer questions. Give it a title and save it.

After your kit is ready, it’s time to host. Click the “Play Live” button on your quiz. You’ll then choose a game mode—these can range from Classic to Team Mode or more advanced styles like “Trust No One.” Once you pick a mode, you’ll be taken to the settings page. Here you can adjust things like game length, whether to allow late joiners, and how points are earned.

Once you’re satisfied, click “Continue” to launch the game. You’ll get a unique game code. Share this with your students so they can join in at gimkit.com/join. Once everyone has entered, you’re ready to start the game.

Creating and Selecting Kits

Making your own kit allows you to tailor the questions to your lesson. You can choose between multiple-choice and short-answer types. You can also import questions from a spreadsheet or copy another user’s kit and tweak it. If you’re short on time, search the kit library—there are tons of public kits ready to use.

Hosting and Managing the Game

Once everyone is in the game lobby, you’ll see a list of player names. This is your chance to check for anything inappropriate. If someone used a silly or offensive nickname, you can remove them with one click. Once everything looks good, hit “Start.”

During the game, students will answer questions on their screens. With each correct answer, they earn in-game currency they can spend on power-ups. You, as the host, can monitor progress, show or hide the leaderboard, and even pause the game if needed. You also get to control how long the game lasts—based on a timer or a money goal.

At the end, the results screen will show each player’s performance. This can be a great way to review which questions were easy or tricky. You can even download a report for later.

What to Watch While Hosting

Pay attention to who’s leading, if the game is going smoothly, and whether any student is stuck or confused. You can pause the game to answer questions or review a problem. You’re the guide, and your role helps the whole class enjoy and learn at the same time.

Tips to Be a Better Host

Here are a few tips to make hosting Gimkit smoother and more fun. First, explain how the game works before starting—especially for new players. Show them where to enter the code and what to expect. Second, keep games short and lively. Most students stay focused during games that last 5–10 minutes.

Also, try different game modes to keep things fresh. Team Mode is great for group collaboration, while Classic Mode is perfect for quick review sessions. If possible, project the leaderboard so everyone can see the action. This adds excitement and keeps players motivated.

Don’t forget to encourage your students. Celebrate the winners, but also highlight effort and improvement. Use the end-of-game results to go over any questions that were commonly missed. This turns the game into a learning moment—not just a race for points.

Keep Students Engaged

Rotate game types weekly and let students suggest topics for future kits. You can even let a student host once they get the hang of it. Involving students keeps them invested and makes the learning experience more collaborative and fun.

Conclusion

Being a Gimkit host is simple but powerful. You create the quiz, launch the game, and guide your class through a learning activity that feels more like fun than work. Whether you’re reviewing a lesson, preparing for a test, or just trying to liven up your classroom, Gimkit makes learning active and exciting. With just a little practice, you’ll be hosting like a pro in no time. Give it a try—you might be surprised how much your students love it!