5 ways to integrate gamification into your classroom

Key points:

Incorporating game elements into lessons helps students feel more motivated and excited to participate. As a fourth-grade teacher, I’ve seen how gamification can transform a regular lesson into something my students look forward to.

“Games are among children’s favorite activities, especially for primary school students. Introducing games into the classroom can engage students in ways that conventional methods often fail to do” (Zhang & Crawford, 2023, p. 6219).

“Several empirical studies have confirmed that students in gamified learning environments achieve higher levels of motivation and cognitive engagement compared to those in traditional classroom settings” (Dehghanzadeh et al., 2024, p. 36).

Here are five ways to integrate gamification into your classroom, using tools like Quizizz, Gimkit, Quizlet, and Blooket.

1. Quizizz: Turn assessments into fun competitions

Quizizz is my top choice for a gamification platform. It allows you to create or search pre-made question sets and host a variety of games that students can join. Students answer multiple-choice questions on their devices while seeing fun memes, leaderboards, and progress bars. Other question types include fill-in-the-blank, true or false, drag-and-drop, and matching. I use Quizizz for everything from reviewing Greek and Latin roots to preparing for the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs).

For example, before a math test, I create a Quizizz game with problems covering the key concepts. Students answer the questions, and the leaderboard keeps them excited without putting too much pressure on anyone. “The competitive environment provided by Quizizz fosters a sense of motivation and engagement that is linked to better performance and higher test scores” (Zhang & Crawford, 2023, p. 6230). I’ve seen this firsthand!

Quizizz allows for both live games and homework assignments, so students can practice at their own pace. The free version offers many features, including data tracking that can inform instruction. When students get a question wrong, they see the correct answer and have the option for Redemption Questions, giving them another chance to learn from their mistakes. “By offering immediate feedback and engaging students through game elements, Quizizz promotes an active learning environment where students are motivated to learn from their mistakes” (Zhang & Crawford, 2023, p. 6229).

2. Gimkit: Build collaboration while earning rewards

Gimkit is another fun platform for learning games. Students answer questions to earn virtual money, which they can use to buy upgrades or power-ups. This choice element gets students invested in the activity.

I’ve used Gimkit for math and science review. After selecting a “Kit” to host, students join the game with a displayed code. My students were hooked right from the start. We played “Don’t Look Down,” where each student’s character races to climb upward by jumping on small platforms without falling. However, characters can only move so far before their energy runs out, requiring students to answer more questions correctly to continue. “Empirical research has shown that students in gamified classrooms tend to participate more actively in lessons, leading to improved academic performance and retention of knowledge” (Dehghanzadeh et al., 2024, p. 39).

While engaging, the free version of Gimkit is quite limited. After a few weeks, the game “Don’t Look Down” was paywalled, and another game replaced it. This is an instance where the paid version offers significantly more features than the free one.

3. Quizlet: Gamify flashcards for independent or group practice

Quizlet is widely known for its flashcards, but its gamified feature, Quizlet Live, is what I enjoy most. Students are grouped into teams and work together to match terms and definitions or answer questions.

When studying vocabulary words, I used Quizlet Live to make practice more interactive. Each group member’s device displayed different options, requiring students to communicate and decide together. Watching them support one another while racing to finish the game was both exciting and heartwarming. A new feature now allows the game to continue until the top three teams finish, making it more inclusive for everyone involved. “Gamification, when combined with personalized learning approaches, fosters higher student satisfaction and learning effectiveness in K-12 settings” (Dehghanzadeh et al., 2024, p. 38).

4. Blooket: Create variety with interactive game modes

Blooket serves as a game hub where teachers can create or find question sets that students play in formats like tower defense, a cafe simulation, or a classic quiz battle. The variety keeps students engaged because each game offers a different experience.

During a social studies unit on the U.S. Government, I used a Blooket set with 30 review questions about the branches of government and elected positions. I hosted multiple games from the same question set, and the variety kept students excited throughout. Blooket even provides a helpful preview for each game mode, suggesting the difficulty, time length, and required skills.

5. Connections: Build meaningful links between concepts

Inspired by the popular New York Times game Connections, this activity lets students group related terms into categories. You can create your own Connection sets to align with your lesson goals, turning this into an interactive way to review key ideas.

For example, I used Connections to review math and social studies vocabulary. I created sets with terms like numerator, denominator, mixed number, fraction bar and another with perimeter, area, square unit, rectangle. Students grouped terms into meaningful categories and discussed their reasoning. Some even created their own Connection sets, adding another layer of engagement. “When properly integrated into lesson plans, gamification can lead to enhanced problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and higher-order learning outcomes in elementary students” (Dehghanzadeh et al., 2024, p. 38).

Tips for success

To make gamification work in your classroom, start small and gradually add more tools. Use pre-made games to save time and ensure the games align with your lessons. Gamification isn’t just about having fun–it’s about creating an environment where students actively participate and learn. Tools like Quizizz, Gimkit, Quizlet, and Blooket can bring energy and excitement into your classroom while supporting important skills.