Being a gimkit host allows you to turn ordinary learning sessions into high-energy, interactive experiences. Whether you are an educator aiming to spark classroom energy, a student leader, or a corporate trainer, mastering the host role brings engagement to a new level.
In this manual, we’ll walk through the essential steps, features, and key controls you need to know to become a compelling and energetic host.
What Does a Gimkit Host Do?
Think of the gimkit host as the central controller of the experience. The host is responsible for setting up the session, managing the "Kit" (the question set), and deciding how the game unfolds. Anyone with a Gimkit account can host, but a successful host blends technical control with an enthusiastic presentation to keep players motivated.
How to Start Hosting Gimkit: Essential Steps
To get started as a gimkit host, follow these five essential steps to move from your dashboard to a live game:
- Select a Kit: Pick the question set you want to use.
- Pick Your Mode: Choose a game format that fits your goals.
- Tweak Your Setup: Adjust settings like time limits or starting cash.
- Share the Code: Give players the unique Game ID or join link.
- Begin the Game: Launch the session once everyone has joined.
Setting Up Your Question Set (The Kit)
The first step as a host is selecting the "Kit" you want to play. You have several options for sourcing your questions:
- Create Your Own: Manually input questions, add images, or use multiple-choice and text-entry formats.
- Question Bank: Tap into Gimkit’s pre-made question bank to quickly find high-quality content across different subjects.
- Importing: Use the CSV import feature if you are talented with spreadsheets, or import directly from Quizlet by exporting your set as text and pasting it into Gimkit.
- KitCollab: Allow students to contribute their own questions to the kit in real-time before the game starts.
Note: Only kits you have created yourself will provide you with detailed performance reports after the game ends.
Selecting Your Game Format
After picking your kit, you will land on the mode selection screen. Gimkit's variety is one of its greatest strengths. As a gimkit host, you can explore several styles of play:
- Classic Mode: The core experience where students earn in-game money for correct answers.
- The Floor is Lava: A collaborative mode where the class works together to stay above rising lava.
- Trust No One: A social deduction game (inspired by "Among Us") where players identify imposters.
- Snowbrawl: A fast-paced mode combining trivia with snow-themed action.
- 2D Formats: Immersive worlds like Fishtopia or Don’t Look Down where players move characters around a map.
To select a mode, browse the options, click the details button to learn more, and then click "Continue" in the upper-right corner.
Gimkit Host Controls: Customizing the Experience
Before the lobby opens, you can personalize the game's functions. These settings vary by mode but often include:
- Win Condition: Set the goal based on a time limit (e.g., 10 minutes) or a specific amount of money earned.
- Starting Cash: Give students a "handicap" by starting them with a bit of money.
- Late Entry: Decide if players can join after the game has already started.
- Clean Power-Ups Only: If enabled, players won't be able to use "chaotic" power-ups like freezing each other’s screens.
- Nickname Rules: Choose whether to allow typed nicknames or use random, funny names assigned by the system.
Managing the Game Lobby and Joining
Once the settings are finalized, a new lobby tab opens. This dashboard displays the unique Game ID that players need to join.
How Players Join a Host Session
|
Method |
Description |
|
Manual Entry |
Players visit gimkit.com/join and enter the 6-7 digit code. |
|
QR Code |
Hover over the code on your screen to show a scannable image for mobile users. |
|
Direct Link |
Click the code to copy a shareable link to paste into a chat or LMS. |
|
Class Account |
Students in a pre-set class can join automatically if they are logged in. |
As the gimkit host, you can monitor the player list in the lobby and remove any inappropriate usernames before clicking the "Start Game" button (located at the bottom for 2D modes or the upper-right for others).
Tools for Active Game Management
A successful host doesn't just start the game; they manage the "mayhem" as it unfolds. The host panel, located in the top-right corner, offers several tools:
- Scoreboard Access: Monitor current rankings and progress live.
- Sound Options: Adjust or mute the game’s background music and sound effects.
- Pause/End Control: You can pause the game to review a difficult question or manually end the session if time runs out.
- Feedback: Offer hints or encouragement aloud as you see students struggle or succeed on the leaderboard.
Advanced Hosting: Assignments and Reports
Beyond live play, the gimkit host role extends to asynchronous learning.
- Assignments: Pro users can assign a Kit as homework with a specific due date. Students progress solo at their own pace.
- Post-Game Reports: Once a game ends, Gimkit provides detailed data. You can identify knowledge gaps by seeing which questions were missed most frequently, allowing you to guide students toward success in future lessons.
Conclusion
Mastering the role of a gimkit host is about blending energy with technical settings. By selecting the right mode, customizing the game to fit your audience, and using real-time data to provide feedback, you transform a simple quiz into a memorable event.
Whether you're running a competitive "Classic" round or a collaborative "Floor is Lava" session, the right host setup makes all the difference.
