The UCI Science Library has more than 100 tabletop games in all categories, such as science fiction, fantasy, block building, role-playing, and children’s games. Visit the Science Library or TableTop Games Library Guide for more information.

Now check out some reasons why you should play these games.

Time Off Screen

Has your weekly screen time gone up again? On average, college students spend between 8-10 hours a day on their phone. That’s more than half a day dedicated to mindless internet scrolling. Try logging off of social media and playing an interactive board game instead.

The Science Library has a blue tabletop games display on the second floor with a large selection of card games, party games, board games, educational games, and more.  Bring your friends to enjoy some time off screen. You’ll appreciate it when your weekly report states that your screen time went down!

Fun Way to Stimulate the Brain

Have you ever walked into a room and instantly forgotten why you went in there? Playing memory games or strategy games can help strengthen your cognitive performance and even reduce the risk of developing dementia. In the United States, approximately 5.8 million people have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or other related dementias. Taking a few minutes out of the week to play fun and interactive games will help strengthen your memory, logic, reaction time, and problem-solving abilities.

Bond With Friends on a Budget

A simple outing with friends can quickly add up, with food, gas, fun caffeinated drinks, and more. Fortunately, UCI Libraries have a budget friendly alternative for your next gathering: playing board games at home. All tabletop games can be checked out from the library for up to 7 days at no cost for all UCI students, faculty, and staff. Simply visit the Science Library’s blue tabletop games display, pick whatever game sparks your interest (you can each borrow a maximum of 2 games at once), and visit the front desk with your UCI ID to check the game out.

Friendly Competition Never Hurt Anyone

Sore losers aren’t fun and can ruin a good time. Participating in friendly competition, however, can help a person experience losing and winning in a healthy and playful way. Playing cooperative games is a simple, efficient, and most importantly, fun way to practice this friendly competition. It is also a great way to develop healthy collaborative tactics, explore and appreciate the benefits of teamwork, and value a good time with friends.

Relieve Stress

School, job, and your personal life can be too much to deal with sometimes, and scrolling on the internet as an escape isn’t always the best option. Gathering with friends or loved ones for a silly game, like exploring a land made out of candy, can help temporarily relieve life’s stressors through shared laughter.

Next time you’re feeling stressed, consider playing a UCI Libraries’ tabletop game.