How to Make Gimkit Games: A Step-by-Step Guide for Teachers & Students
If you are looking for a way to turn a boring study session into an exciting game, you need to learn how to make Gimkit sets. Gimkit is a classroom game show platform where students answer questions to earn virtual money. Unlike other quiz tools, this one feels like a real video game. It was actually created by a high school student, which is why it feels so fun and fast-paced.
When you make Gimkit games, you give your students a chance to compete, strategize, and learn all at the same time. Teachers love it because it keeps the energy high and the focus sharp. You can use it for a quick warm-up, a deep review before a big test, or even as a fun homework assignment. It is simple to set up and even easier to play, making it a favorite in modern classrooms everywhere.
Getting Started: Create Your Free Account
Before you can make Gimkit magic happen, you need an account. Head over to the website and sign up using your email or a Google account. The process is very fast and only takes about a minute. There is a free version called “Gimkit Basic” that lets you do almost everything you need to get started with your class.
Once you are logged in, you will see your dashboard. This is your home base where all your “Kits” (that’s what they call the games) will live. To make Gimkit content, you just need to click the “New Kit” button. Give your game a name and pick a language and a subject. You can even add a fun cover photo to make your game look more professional and inviting for your students to join.
How to Make Gimkit Kits from Scratch
The most common way to build your game is to make Gimkit questions manually. This is great when you have specific vocabulary words or math problems you want your students to master. You type in your question and then provide the correct answer along with three “distractors” or wrong answers. It is very similar to making a flashcard but much more interactive.
When you make Gimkit sets this way, you have total control over the difficulty. You can add images to your questions to help visual learners understand the concepts better. You can also use “Multiple Choice” or “Text Input” formats. Text input is harder because students have to type the exact word, which is perfect for spelling tests or learning new science terms.
| Feature | Details |
| Creator | Josh Feinsilber |
| Platform Type | Educational Game / Quiz Tool |
| Core Currency | Virtual Cash (In-game) |
| Best For | K-12 Classrooms and Study Groups |
| Key Modes | Trust No One, Floor is Lava, Humans vs Zombies |
| Device Support | Web-based (Chromebooks, Tablets, Laptops) |
Using Gimkit Ink for Creative Writing
Did you know you can make Gimkit experiences that focus on writing? There is a special feature called Gimkit Ink. Instead of just answering bubbles, students can publish their own stories or essays. This turns the classroom into a digital publishing house where peers can read and react to each other’s work in a safe environment.
When teachers make Gimkit Ink assignments, they are helping students find their voices. It moves beyond simple “right or wrong” answers. Students get to see their classmates’ ideas and learn how to give good feedback. It is a fantastic way to bridge the gap between gaming and serious literacy skills while keeping everyone excited about their progress.
How to Make Gimkit Games Faster with AI
If you are short on time, you can make Gimkit kits using “Gimkit AI” (also known as Smart Quiz). This tool is a lifesaver for busy teachers. You can simply paste a long article or a list of notes into the generator. The AI reads the text and automatically creates dozens of high-quality questions for you in seconds.
Using AI to make Gimkit content ensures you cover all the important parts of a lesson without typing for hours. You should always double-check the questions to make sure they are accurate, but it usually gets it right. This allows you to spend more time interacting with your students and less time staring at a computer screen preparing materials.
Importing from Quizlet and Spreadsheets
You don’t always have to start from zero when you make Gimkit sets. If you already have flashcards on Quizlet, you can import them directly. This is a huge time-saver if you have been teaching the same subject for years and already have your lists ready. You just copy the Quizlet link and paste it into the import tool.
Another way to make Gimkit kits is by using a CSV spreadsheet. If you have a list of questions in Excel or Google Sheets, you can upload the file all at once. This is perfect for complex data or large banks of questions. It makes the transition to Gimkit very smooth for teachers who are moving away from older, less interactive quiz platforms.
Exploring Different Game Modes
The best part about when you make Gimkit games is choosing the game mode. You aren’t just stuck with a boring leaderboard. You can choose “Trust No One,” which is inspired by social deduction games like Among Us. There is also “The Floor is Lava,” where the whole class must work together to stay above the rising heat.
When you make Gimkit sessions with different modes, it keeps the game fresh. Students never get bored because the rules change every time. Some modes focus on teamwork, while others are every student for themselves. Switching modes is a great way to see which students work well under pressure and which ones are great at helping their teammates succeed.
Setting Up Your First Class Assignments
Once you make Gimkit kits, you need to get them to your students. You can host a “Live Game” where everyone plays at the same time in the classroom. This creates a lot of excitement and cheering. Or, you can assign a Kit as “Homework.” In homework mode, students work at their own pace to reach a certain money goal.
To make Gimkit assignments easy to track, you can create “Classes” within the app. This lets you see the data for each student. You can see who is struggling with certain questions and who has mastered the material. It provides a very clear picture of what you might need to re-teach the next day in class.
Tips for High-Quality Question Design
To make Gimkit games truly effective, your questions should be clear and concise. Avoid using “trick” questions that confuse students. Instead, focus on the core facts they need to know. If a question is too long, students might get frustrated because the game moves so fast. Keep the text short so they can read and react quickly.
When you make Gimkit content, try to vary the difficulty. Start with some easy “confidence booster” questions at the beginning. As the game goes on, add more challenging ones that require deeper thinking. This keeps students engaged because they feel successful early on but still feel challenged as they earn more virtual money for their upgrades.
Managing the In-Game Shop and Power-Ups
What makes the game unique is the shop. As students answer questions, they earn cash to buy power-ups. When you make Gimkit games, you are essentially letting kids manage a tiny economy. They can buy “Multipliers” to earn more money per question or “Insurance” so they don’t lose as much when they get an answer wrong.
You don’t have to do anything extra to make Gimkit shops work; they are built-in! However, you should encourage students to think about their strategy. Some might save up for big items, while others spend as they go. This layer of strategy is why students will ask to play Gimkit over and over again compared to other simpler quiz games.
Conclusion: Start Creating Today!
Learning how to make Gimkit sets is one of the best things you can do for your classroom. It turns hard work into a fun challenge that students actually look forward to. Whether you use the AI tools to save time or build your own custom kits from scratch, the results are always the same: happy, engaged learners who are mastering their subjects.
Now that you know the steps, why not make Gimkit your next big classroom activity? It is free to try, easy to learn, and incredibly powerful for boosting memory and participation. Grab your lesson plan, log in, and start building your first Kit today. Your students will definitely thank you for making learning feel like a game!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it free to make Gimkit games?
Yes! You can make Gimkit kits for free using the Basic version. It allows you to create kits, host live games, and use most of the popular game modes. There is a paid version called “Gimkit Pro” that offers more features, but the free version is great for getting started.
2. How many students can join a game I make?
In the free version, there are usually limits on how many students can join a live session (often around 60). This is plenty for most standard classrooms. If you have a massive group, you might need to look into the Pro options to make Gimkit work for everyone.
3. Can I share the Kits I make with other teachers?
Absolutely! When you make Gimkit sets, you can set them to “Public.” This allows other teachers to find and use your questions. You can also send a direct link to a colleague so they can play your game with their own students.
4. What age group is Gimkit best for?
While it is popular in middle and high school, you can make Gimkit games for any age. Even elementary students enjoy the simple modes. As long as the students can read the questions or look at the pictures, they will have a blast playing and earning money.
5. Can students make Gimkit kits themselves?
Yes, and it is a great learning tool! Teachers can have students make Gimkit sets as a project. This forces them to research the topic and come up with their own questions and answers, which is a fantastic way to reinforce what they have learned in class.
6. Do I need to download software to make Gimkit work?
No, you do not need to download anything. You can make Gimkit kits and play the games entirely through a web browser. It works perfectly on Chromebooks, iPads, and even smartphones, making it very accessible for schools with different types of technology.
