Fun beyond gamification: Universal elements to enhance children’s learning

Abstract Children’s motivation and engagement in learning act as cornerstones for positive academic outcomes. While gamification is extensively studied as a strategy for making learning fun, there remains a limited understanding of other factors that contribute to a fun learning experience, particularly within formal educational settings. Addressing this research gap, this qualitative study sought to explore the elements primary school students aged 9 to 12 perceive as contributing to fun in learning, focusing on aspects beyond gamification. Firsthand perspectives were collected based on classroom observations (N = 48 students), focus group interviews with students (N = 12), and a semi-structured interview with an expert. The analysis of the students’ viewpoints revealed the following six key, non-gamification elements, consistently associated with fun in learning; sense of agency, challenge, diversity in learning, pleasure, low-stress climate, and peer interaction. Evaluated and contextualized by expert insights, these findings offer fresh perspectives on the elements that primary school students perceived as an enhancement for having fun while learning. Overall, the study provides specific, non-gamification insights that can foster and enhance fun in learning, and offers practical recommendations for educators, potentially informing the development of both offline and online educational practices.