The best games with Play Dough / Modeling Clay 2025

Looking for a game where you can live out your creativity with clay? We have picked out the 21 best modeling clay games for you.

What are modeling clay games?

For us, clay games are social games (including expansions, promos, etc.) in which clay is used in the game. And that means real clay as a component of the game or game principle, not just pictures or the theme of clay or kneading. Most people will be familiar with Cranium, but there are many great game concepts that incorporate modeling clay as a central game element (e.g. Dohdles! or Barbarosse).

Board games with other game elements than magnets

There are many more materials and elements that can be included in board games. We have several lists of game elements linked at the bottom of the page.

list of the best magnetic games 2025

This list was last updated on March 19, 2025. We compared 62 board games for this list and selected the top 21. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. Cluzzle

    All details for the board game Cluzzle and similar games

    Cluzzle is a game where players attempt to model poorly! Each participant creates an ambiguous clay sculpture, known as a Cluzzle, and then everyone asks "yes or no" questions to guess the other sculptures.

    More details for Cluzzle
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  2. Rapidough

    All details for the board game Rapidough and similar games

    Players form words using their own special modeling clay in a Pictionary-style game with 2 to 3 teams. Each round, players from each team sit side by side and look at the same word card, which can vary in how they engage with it. The game ends when one team loses all their clay, and the team with the most remaining clay is declared the winner.

    More details for Rapidough
    • 4 - 99 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  3. Miss Monster

    All details for the board game Miss Monster and similar games

    Miss Monster is a unique beauty contest where both children and adults can create small creatures using play-doh. The focus is on beauty, a trait often overlooked in adult monsters, making it a matter of personal taste. Players must complete several rounds, fulfilling card-defined criteria to score points and increase their chances of having their monster crowned as "Miss Monster."

    Nominated for 1 award.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2005

    More details for Miss Monster
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 40 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Miss Monster

    • YouTube Review for the game "Miss Monster" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  4. Barbarossa

    All details for the board game Barbarossa and similar games

    Players create objects using modeling clay that others must guess. They take turns moving on the board by rolling dice or spending gems, with the landing spaces determining the actions. Correct guesses earn points, with the object's creator also gaining or losing points based on how many arrows are stuck in it. The challenge is to represent a word that is not too easy or difficult to guess, making the game both engaging and competitive.

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1988

    More details for Barbarossa
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  5. Splat!

    All details for the board game Splat! and similar games

    Players compete in a typical children's race game, but instead of sending opponents' clay figures back to start, they crush them. The unique mechanic adds a fun twist to the classic racing formula.

    More details for Splat!
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  6. Cranium WOW

    All details for the board game Cranium WOW and similar games

    Cranium WOW features a completely new game board, 600 new cards with 15 fun activities, and a 10-sided die. Players engage in a mix of performance, quiz questions, sculpting, and pop culture knowledge as they move around the board. This entertaining game is designed for adults or those who are "adult-like."

    More details for Cranium WOW
    • 4 - 99 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  7. Claymania

    All details for the board game Claymania and similar games

    Dive into this fast-paced party game that turns any gathering into a muddy delight! You have 45 seconds to mold a lump of clay into an object while your teammates try to guess what it is, using only gestures and no words. The first team to collect five colored game stones wins!

    More details for Claymania
    • 4 - 99 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  8. Smugglers

    All details for the board game Smugglers and similar games

    To bring the best young people into the business, the smuggler chief holds a competition where candidates are challenged to move a bag filled with contraband through an opening in the fence. Players act as the "bags" made of modeling clay, hiding their contraband inside. They roll down a 3D path while a dice roll determines which hole in the fence they try to squeeze through, with the largest bag potentially stealing contraband from smaller bags.

    More details for Smugglers
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 40 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  9. Pfusch

    All details for the board game Pfusch and similar games

    Players take on the role of greedy builders trying to complete as many buildings as possible. They aim to enhance profits by using cheap materials instead of expensive stone. However, they must beware of building inspectors who ensure safe construction. Getting caught in shoddy work results in losing the building under construction, and a third offense leads to losing their building permit.

    More details for Pfusch
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  10. Cranium

    All details for the board game Cranium and similar games

    Cranium is a versatile party game that combines elements from various popular games into a "whole-brain" experience. It is designed for groups and encompasses a wide range of activities, making it a hit at social gatherings.

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for Cranium
    • 4 - 99 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  11. The Grape Escape

    All details for the board game The Grape Escape and similar games

    Players shape clay grapes using a provided mold to create their game pieces. They then move around the game board, which is often covered by a hand-crank mechanism that causes various forms of grape torture based on where they land, such as smashing, rolling, or cutting. If crushed, players must reshape their grape and start over.

    More details for The Grape Escape
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  12. Dohdles!

    All details for the board game Dohdles! and similar games

    Players create and decipher "Knätsel," or modeling puzzles, using clay to shape objects like mountains, animals, or famous ruins. They take turns asking each other questions about these creations or requesting letters from their names, all while being mindful that their inquiries can help opponents. Points are awarded only when the puzzle's creator and the guesser both succeed; if everyone guesses correctly or no one gets it right, the creator earns no points.

    More details for Dohdles!
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  13. Cranium Dark

    All details for the board game Cranium Dark and similar games

    Host an epic game night with this hilarious variant of Cranium! Players choose an action card to show others while secretly selecting a Cranium card. They then must express the Cranium card without using any words, guiding others to guess it in a fun and creative way. The first player to collect 7 cards wins!

    More details for Cranium Dark
    • 3 - 99 Players
    • 18+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  14. Cranium: The Family Fun Game

    All details for the board game Cranium: The Family Fun Game and similar games

    Families can enjoy a fun and memorable game together with the Family Edition, featuring 16 hilarious activities that encourage teamwork and creativity. Players engage in various tasks like sketching, acting, and guessing, ensuring laughter and excitement throughout. The first team to cross the finish line wins, competing by successfully completing activities and advancing on the game board.

    More details for Cranium: The Family Fun Game
    • 4 - 99 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  15. Cranium Cadoo

    All details for the board game Cranium Cadoo and similar games

    A kid-friendly version of Cranium, this game also appeals to adults who enjoy the original. Children can think, create, and laugh while trying to connect four in a row to win. With various activities, there’s something for every child to celebrate, and they might even uncover hidden talents!

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for Cranium Cadoo
    • 2 - 99 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  16. Cranium Conga

    All details for the board game Cranium Conga and similar games

    Cranium Conga is a fast-paced guessing game where the whole family can act, sculpt, guess, and pick funny words. Players of all ages will enjoy laughing at amusing facts that only family and friends would know, like the unusual talents or dreams of relatives. Write your answer on the erasable secret pad inside the Conga timer, pass it to the first guesser, and race against the clock to see who can guess correctly first!

    More details for Cranium Conga
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  17. Cranium Bible Edition

    All details for the board game Cranium Bible Edition and similar games

    Cranium Bible Edition is a fun party game that requires teams to complete activities across four sections. Players draw or model words, answer Bible quiz questions, decipher words, and perform various tasks related to biblical characters. This edition features new cards and a 3-in-1 game board that allows players to set their own game duration.

    More details for Cranium Bible Edition
    • 4 - 99 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • Immediately playable
  18. Play-Doh Smashed Potatoes Game

    All details for the board game Play-Doh Smashed Potatoes Game and similar games

    Help! Save me from the corn machine! I used to be a simple potato on the farm, but now I'm trapped in a crazy kitchen and need your help to escape! If I get mashed, smashed, chopped, or sliced, you need Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head to help me become a whole potato again.

    More details for Play-Doh Smashed Potatoes Game
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  19. Cranium Cosmo

    All details for the board game Cranium Cosmo and similar games

    Push back from your desk and draw the next card from Cosmo for five minutes of high-five fun. Cranium Cosmo offers a wealth of unconventional activities that promise uncontrollable fun, whether alone or with friends in the office. Each card leads to creative, puzzling, and laughter-filled moments, challenging you with activities like bowling with dry-erase markers or typing your name with your nose.

    More details for Cranium Cosmo
    • 2 Players
    • 10 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  20. Play-Doh Toy Time Race Game

    All details for the board game Play-Doh Toy Time Race Game and similar games

    In the toy factory, chaos reigns! Players must safely navigate their toys along the conveyor belt into the gift packaging while avoiding interference from other toy makers who will try to crush or derail them. Each player shapes colorful Play-Doh into their game pieces and can move, manipulate, or recycle opponents' pieces to be the first to get two of their toys packaged.

    More details for Play-Doh Toy Time Race Game
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 3+ years old
  21. Cranium Sculptorades

    All details for the board game Cranium Sculptorades and similar games

    Players shape comfort food in a bowl, something they crave on a cold day. They might even find themselves modeling a skateboard or a flamingo! Teammates must guess what is being created before time runs out.

    More details for Cranium Sculptorades
    • 2 - 99 Players
    • 5 Minutes

Didn't find the game you were looking for?

We're positive that you'll find it in one of our other lists! To make the search easier for you, we split our website into different categories. The following board game categories will help you find the right list: