Brrrr!!!! It’s super cold outside, and what better way to spend the cold days than playing fun games with family and friends? We’ve compiled a list of some of our top games from the holiday season. We tried to come up with some NEW games that are  easy to learn, but still challenging, and great for families.

1. Gubs 

At number 1 is Gubs, and rightfully so. This has quickly become a staff favorite because of its great characters and simple but compelling gameplay. Each player draws from the deck and tries to collect Gub cards. Hidden somewhere in the deck are 3 letter cards that spell out GUB. Once all 3 cards are pulled and “Gub” is spelled out, the person with the most free Gubs in play wins the game. Sounds easy, but when you throw in magic spells, protection cards, and traps, Gubs becomes  not only a game of wit, but a little luck too.

2. Swish

Swish is a card game that challenges spatial sense while players try to be the first to make matches, or “Swishes.” Swishes are made by layering as few as two or as many as 12 cards so that every ball swishes into a hoop of the same color. The cards must be placed on top of each other in the same orientation, and no ball or hoop can be left unmatched. The player with the most matches at the end of the game wins. Various levels of play make this card game addictively fun for all.

 3. Q-Bitz

Visual dexterity, cubed! Q-bitz will challenge your visual agility while players puzzle over how to recreate the patterns on the game cards using their set of 16 cubes. Three fast-paced rounds of play require different skills each time, quick thinking, lucky breaks or memory muscle power. Stacey from our Durham store is the reigning champ, and always loves a challenge. ; )

 4. Pathwords

PathWords is the exciting new game that combines the best of Tetris and Word Search. Place the puzzle pieces onto the selected challenge so the letters under each piece spell a word. Words are read forward or backward – letters will not be scrambled. With 40 challenges from Beginner to Expert, PathWords appeals to both word game lovers and puzzle fanatics and will have you exercising your brain for hours.

 5. Angry Birds Knock on Wood

 Raise your hand if you can’t get enough Angry Birds- that would be us. Play your favorite app game in real life with the Angry Birds: Knock on Wood Game! The age-old battle between Angry Birds and the egg-stealing pigs continues, and the birds will have their revenge. Draw cards, build castles, and knock them down in this hands-on version of the touchscreen hit. First one to 100 points wins!