As the perfect gift for a gamer, fantasy lover, or student with ADHD, gamified goal planners are a useful and unique present. Here, we’ve outlined the best two options to buy. By turning goals into quests, gamified planners transform procrastination into productivity. That’s all while using the same principles that make video games and social media sticky. Let’s jump right in!

What Is a Gamified Goal Planner?

Before we dive into our top picks, let’s clarify what a gamified goal planner actually is. Think of it as a blend of real-world tasks and fictional fun. By assigning XP, special items, gold, and more to your goals, these planners make productivity more rewarding. Data from McKinsey & Company even suggests that gamification can increase engagement by as much as 48%. This unique and interactive format helps boost motivation and focus, especially for individuals who can’t stick to a traditional planner.

Ideally, the planner you choose should be all about balance. On the one hand, too many gamified elements can be distracting. On the other hand, too few can lead to low engagement. A well-designed gamified planner will keep users coming back while incorporating the productivity tools they need to succeed, such as:

• Gamified habit tracking
• Annual, monthly, and weekly goals
• Room for notes and reflection
• Calendars and weekly outlooks

Our Top Recommendations

We’ve broken our best gamified goal planner recommendations into two options: digital and physical. Each offers a unique approach to make productivity fun. We suggest basing your decision on the gift recipient’s preferences (and tendencies).

1. Whimsington Planner

This undated weekly planner makes recipients the hero of their own story. By finishing tasks, they’ll earn skills and items to defeat monsters. The planner is packed with unique lore, immersive quests, and monthly battles to maximize engagement.

The Whimsington planner is also built for functionality. With habit tracking, goal planning, weekly outlooks, and 12 undated months, it includes the same features you’d expect from a traditional planner. Here’s our assessment:

What We Like

• 12 undated months for added flexibility, allowing users to start at any time without losing track
• High-quality materials and packaging that make for a practical and exciting gift
• Affordable price point compared to other hard cover planners
• Great balance of fun and functionality, combining engaging quests with practical planning tools

Areas of Concern

• Limited stock as a small company
• Only one color option available at the moment, which may limit choices for those who prefer variety
• Gamified elements may not appeal to those who prefer a traditional planner layout

2. Habitica

Not all gifts need to be wrapped under a tree. As a digital productivity planner, Habitica turns daily tasks into an RPG-style adventure. Here, completed tasks translate to gold, skills, and items that strengthen the character. The character’s avatar can also be customized for an even more immersive experience.

The question is, how can you gift Habitica to someone? Our recommendation is to order the subscription, as Habitica is an app. Here’s what we think:

What We Like

• Customizable habit and task tracking for a unique experience
• Engaging, team-based quests for added motivation and accountability
• Available on multiple devices (mobile and desktop)
• Free to use with optional in-app purchases

Areas of Concern

• As an app, Habitica is one click away from the temptation of social media or other games
• Digital presents may be less satisfying to gifters and recipients
• Frequent in-app notifications can be distracting if not adjusted
• Once the subscription ends, the user may not continue using it

Digital vs. Printed Gamified Goal Planners

Choosing a productivity gift for Christmas, birthdays, graduations, and other occasions isn’t always easy. Ultimately, you want the recipient to stick with the gift. That’s where a physical gift may have advantages over a digital subscription.

Digital Gamified Planners

Digital subscriptions like Habitica can make productivity more flexible. Not to mention, they’re a great last-minute gift for procrastinators. In general, they tend to be more customizable and offer opportunities to connect, which can add a social dimension to goal-setting.

However, digital planners may not offer the same tactile feel of crossing off goals on paper. Additionally, comparison is the thief of joy. Even though Habitica is a well-built app, users may find it hard not to compare it to more exciting video games or digital experiences.

Printed Gamified Goal Planners 

Unlike digital planners, the Whimsington planner offers a physical, hands-on experience. Written goals are directly linked to greater follow-through. On top of that, they’re a gift you can physically wrap and give to someone.

Even if the recipient has never tried a physical planner before, they may actually prefer the reduced screen time and separation between their phone and aspirations.

Why Gift Someone a Gamified Goal Planner?

Choosing a gift that’s both thoughtful and practical is an uphill battle. You want to make a lasting impression, but nothing quite checks all the boxes. Gamified goal planners offer a tangible solution. Here's why they make the perfect productivity gift.

1. Encourages Personal Growth via Gamification

Gamified planners turn mundane tasks into exciting quests and challenges. This can motivate users to set and achieve their goals with a greater sense of accomplishment. It's not just about staying organized… It’s about leveling up in real life.

2. Appeals to a Wide Audience

Traditional planners have one thing in common: they collect dust. Even with all of the productivity features in the world, they still don’t give an incentive for users to keep coming back. This problem is amplified for those with ADHD. Instead, gamified planners give an alternative that truly anyone can appreciate.

3. Combines Fun with Functionality

The fusion of game mechanics and goal tracking makes productivity more enjoyable. By earning XP, defeating monsters, and advancing the storyline, fantasy planners with gamified elements keep goals on track. This ensures that the planner isn't just another item on the desk.

4. Reduces Screen Time

Today, we're constantly glued to our devices. A physical gamified planner like Whimsington offers a refreshing break. It provides the benefits of gamification without excessive screen time. That way, it promotes a healthier balance between real-world tasks and the digital realm.

5. Enhances Motivation and Focus

Gamified elements like XP and special items can add some ‘oomph!’ to your motivation. How? By adding an entire layer of rewards to even the most mundane tasks. In turn, users can go well beyond just checking off boxes.

6. A Gift that Keeps on Giving

Unlike one-time gifts, a gamified goal planner offers continuous value. Each day presents new opportunities to engage with the planner, making it last throughout the year (and beyond if someone needs to skip one of the undated months). It's a constant companion on the journey toward personal growth.

Final Thoughts

Whether for a friend who loves fantasy or a gamer who always procrastinates, gamified goal planners are a unique and useful gift. As a recap, our top recommendations are Whimsington for a printed planner, and Habitica for a digital planner. In either case, recipients can make habit building and goal tracking more engaging.

We hope this helped, especially if you have a hard-to-shop-for friend or family member.