Learner abilities can be enhanced in game-based learning (GBL) environments. Natural user interface (NUI)-based games can help to improve the academic and physical capabilities of children. Educational games being a subset of serious games could therefore be very well deployed for the players to learn various skills. A gamification approach to learning is enabled by carefully picked game design elements, meaningful ways of engagement with a focus on nurturing cognitive, motor, and academic skills. A conceptual framework is proposed in this paper for design research based on GBL environments with a discussion on different methods for assessment of learner abilities. This work promotes the idea that a focus on different skills for learner ability enhancement during GBL activities is a recommended practice for the current school-level educational system.