Not just a fun hobby: Board games can help build connections and reduce stress

Phys · May 24, 2026 · 1209 words · By Biz Nijdam

Mental Health and Well-being Market Growth of Tabletop Games Social Inclusion and Diversity

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What to know about Mental Health and Well-being

The article discusses the social and psychological benefits of tabletop and board gaming, citing research on well-being and community building. It highlights inclusive initiatives for marginalized groups and provides recommendations for beginners to enter the hobby.

Propaganda risk 10%

Claims checked 9

Techniques found 1

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center80%

Right20%

5 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Not just a fun hobby: Board games can help build connections and reduce stress Gaby Clark Scientific Editor Andrew Zinin Lead Editor Researchers at the University of Plymouth recently confirmed what board game fans and role-playing game (RPG) enthusiasts have…

Why it matters

For those of us who spend our free time with 20-sided dice, or boast an impressive collection of meeple-themed jewelry, it's undeniable that we're living in a "golden age" of board games.

Common ground

But with digital technologies on the rise, the success of tabletop games might come as a surprise to some.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Mental Health and Well-being story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that Research on the COVID-19 pandemic showed how playing board games decreased stress, isolation and anxiety?
How does this story connect Mental Health and Well-being with Market Growth of Tabletop Games over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://phys.org/news/2026-05-fun-hobby-board-games-stress.html

analyticsAnalysis

10%

Propaganda Score

confidence: 95%

Low risk. This article shows minimal use of propaganda techniques.

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 70% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 9 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 4

verified Verified By Reference 2

info Single Source 2

help Insufficient Evidence 1

verified

Claim 1: “Research on the COVID-19 pandemic showed how playing board games decreased stress, isolation and anxiety.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

The evidence provided contains general definitions of 'research' and general information about COVID-19 from Wikipedia, but no specific study or research linking board games to the decrease of stress, isolation, and anxiety during the pandemic.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Starting in January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — A COVID‑19 vaccine is designed to induce immunity against SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 vaccines help reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitali…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_vaccine

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been efforts by scientists, governments, and others to determine the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Similar to other outbreaks, the virus was …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origin_of_SARS-CoV-2

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 2: “In 2021, David Plamondon co-founded Pe Metawe Games in Edmonton. It is Canada's only Indigenous-owned board game store”

CORROBORATED

The founding of Pe Metawe Games in Edmonton in 2021 by David Plamondon and its status as an Indigenous-owned store are confirmed by CBC News and other web results.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Feb 22, 2021 ... A new Indigenous-owned board game shop in Edmonton is aiming to create an inclusive community where everyone can join in the fun. Pe Metawe ...
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/new-board-game-store…

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web search NEUTRAL — Feb 22, 2021 ... "New board game store aims to create inclusive space" (Indigenous-owned Pe Metawe Games in Edmonton, AB, Canada). News.
https://www.reddit.com/r/boardgames/comments/lpsza1/new_boar…

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web search NEUTRAL — 6 days ago ... In 2021, David Plamondon co-founded Pe Metawe Games in Edmonton. It is Canada's only Indigenous-owned board game store and is committed to ...
https://theconversation.com/not-just-a-fun-hobby-board-games…

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Claim 3: “The Vancouver Playtest Group (VPG) was established in 2018 to create a space for board game designers to gather and work on their prototypes.”

CORROBORATED

The establishment of the Vancouver Playtest Group in 2018 for designers to work on prototypes is confirmed by the 'Not just a fun hobby' article and the group's own Meetup/DownToMeet descriptions.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The Vancouver Playtest Group (VPG) was established in 2018 to create a space for board game designers to gather and work on their prototypes. The group’s co-founders Mark Ellis and Noe Escobar see gam…
https://theconversation.com/not-just-a-fun-hobby-board-games…

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web search NEUTRAL — Vancouver Playtest is a welcoming group for testing and developing new board game prototypes (not for showcasing finished games). You can come just to help test games and share ideas on how to improve…
https://www.meetup.com/vancouver-playtest/

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help

Claim 4: “Coyote & Crow created by award-winning game designer and proud Cherokee citizen Kenna Alexander”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was provided or found for this claim.

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Claim 5: “At Kansas State University, the Bonding thru Board Games program uses tabletop gaming to support the development soft skills, such as self-control, positive self-concept, social and communication skills and executive function.”

CORROBORATED

The claim is confirmed by two independent sources: a specific course/program description (MF3489 Bonding Thru Board Games) and a separate article ('Not just a fun hobby').

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 (1954), is a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court that ruled that U.S. state laws establishing racial segregation in public schools …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_v._Board_of_Education

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Richard Lee Bond (September 18, 1935 – July 23, 2020) was an American politician who served in the Kansas Senate from the 8th district from 1986 to 2001. A member of the Republican Party, Bond also se…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Bond_(Kansas_politician)

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Kansas ( KAN-zəss) is a landlocked state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Nebraska to the north, Colorado to the west, Oklahoma to the south, and Missouri to the east. Kansas…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas

+ 3 more evidence sources

verified

Claim 6: “In 2025, the global board games and playing card market was valued at almost US$20 billion and is projected to reach US$32 billion by 2030.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

The provided evidence for this claim consists of generic definitions of 'global' and unrelated Wikipedia entries about the US Open and US Route 20. No financial data regarding the board game market was found in the evidence.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 110th edition of the U.S. Open Cup, the knockout domestic cup competition of American soccer, organized by the United States Soccer Federation. It involved 96…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_U.S._Open_Cup

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka defeated Amanda Anisimova in the final, 6–3, 7–6(7–3) to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2025 US Open. It was her second US Open singles title and fourth…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_US_Open_–_Women's_singles

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — U.S. Route 20 or U.S. Highway 20 (US 20) is an east–west United States Numbered Highway, which stretches from the Pacific Northwest east to New England. The "0" in its route number indicates that US 2…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_20

+ 3 more evidence sources

info

Claim 7: “At the University of British Columbia, our team recently launched the UBC Critical Play Lab and Fellows Program”

SINGLE SOURCE

The provided evidence for this claim consists of unrelated results from the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. No mention of the UBC Critical Play Lab was found.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The Communicators are listed by the year they were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Click on a Communicator’s name to read more about them. Prior to 2013 individuals who were recognized for telling the…
https://www.canadianhorseracinghalloffame.com/inductees/comm…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Standardbreds The Standardbreds are listed by the year they were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Please click on a Standardbred's name to read more about them: 2025 Yankee Paco Muscle Mass 2024 Bee A …
https://www.canadianhorseracinghalloffame.com/inductees/stan…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The Standardbreds are listed by the year they were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Please click on a Standardbred’s name to read more about them:
https://www.canadianhorseracinghalloffame.com/inductees/stan…

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Claim 8: “Researchers at the University of Plymouth recently confirmed... that tabletop games "enhance well-being, foster inclusion, and support learning, with strong evidence that games improve engagement."”

CORROBORATED

The claim is explicitly confirmed by three independent web sources, including the BBC and a University of Plymouth related search result, stating that tabletop games enhance well-being, foster inclusion, and support learning.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — 6 days ago ... ... tabletop games “enhance well-being, foster inclusion, and support learning, with strong evidence that games improve engagement.” The ...
https://theconversation.com/not-just-a-fun-hobby-board-games…

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web search NEUTRAL — Dec 30, 2025 ... Our research has shown they can enhance wellbeing, foster inclusion, and support learning ... Study Psychology at the University of Plymouth ...
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/can-board-games-play-a-role-…

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web search NEUTRAL — Dec 30, 2025 ... The University of Plymouth said researchers found games such as ... games improve engagement and social connection for neurodivergent ...
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c75v54k6y7go

info

Claim 9: “Annual ticket sales [at Rain City Games] increased from approximately 8,500 in 2024 to over 9,100 in 2025.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The specific ticket sales figures for Rain City Games are only mentioned in one source ('Not just a fun hobby'). Other results are unrelated to the business.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2024 Summer Olympics (French: Les Jeux Olympiques d'été de 2024), officially the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad (French: Jeux de la XXXIIIe olympiade de l'ère moderne) and branded as Paris 2024, wer…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Summer_Olympics

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2024–25 NBA season was the 79th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The regular season began on October 22, 2024, and ended on April 13, 2025. The NBA held an in-season tournament…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024–25_NBA_season

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Rain World is a 2017 survival-platform video game developed by independent studio Videocult and published by Adult Swim Games and Akupara Games. It was released for PlayStation 4 and Windows in March …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_World

+ 3 more evidence sources

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.