Is there any reason to believe that we really can blend fun and learning? And if so, can we do it systematically? In this talk, we will develop the alignment between learning and engagement, highlighting the synergy between cognitive and emotional elements that tell us that we should make learning 'hard fun'. Then we'll talk about the learning design process, and show how these elements can be developed during a systematic design process that yields deeply contextualized challenging practice. In short, why learning can be 'hard fun'. The result is an optimal balance that promises more meaningful learning and more engaging experiences!.