Connetix Magnetic Tiles – are they worth it?

Predicted to be one of the top selling toys for Christmas 2024, find out everything you need to know about the educational and fun Connetix Magnetic Tiles in our tried and tested review.

Choosing the best toys for Christmas can feel like an impossible task, especially when it comes to finding a toy with long-lasting play appeal that’s suitable for siblings to share. As much as we adore toys in this house (comes with the territory), some toys can be quickly forgotten about, losing their appeal as soon as the novelty has worn off.

While they certainly don’t come cheap, Connetix is a brand name that has flown to the top selling lists fairly rapidly since I first set sight on them back at the Toy Fair in 2023. A great educational STEM toy that still offers ample kid appeal, Connetix Magnetic Tiles offer open ended, creative play and are SO enjoyable to piece together that you may even find yourself having a little go yourselves.

To help you work out whether Connetix are right for you and your family, we’ve put two Connetix Magnetic Tiles sets through your paces to tell you everything you need to know about this up and coming toy brand.

What are Connetix Magnetic Tiles?

Connetix Magnetic Tiles are a creative and educational STEM toy aimed at children aged 3 and above. With each pack containing a selection of shaped pieces, each bevelled and brightly coloured tile can be magnetically attached to another, using strong and durable magnets to create a safe and sturdy connection.

By piecing the tiles together, children can create some really impressive constructions including buildings, boats, cars, animals and more. The opportunities are endless!

All tiles are also sealed and riveted for extra safety and create beautiful clear refractions of light! For peace of mind, parents will also be pleased to know that Connetix tiles are made using non-toxic ABS plastic that is BPA, lead and Phthalate free,

What age is Connetix suitable for?

While Connetix has been through stringent testing and has pieces that are welded and riveted for safety, the brand recommends they are suitable for children aged 3 and above. In our testing, my daughters aged 8 and 11 both still enjoyed playing with these tiles as a fan and creative construction toy.

How is Connetix different to Magna-tiles?

While Connetix is similar to other magnetic tile brands such as Magna-tiles, Connetix prides itself on its unique bevelled design which retracts the light, the riveted edges for safety and the use of stronger magnets than alternative brands, meaning your kid’s creations will stay together more tightly (great for avoiding disappointment after all their efforts!)

Our experience of Connetix

My daughters, particularly my youngest age 8, absolutely loved playing with Connetix. Straight out the box and with no hesitation, Neve set to work straight away, making light work of the 68 pieces in the Connetix Rainbow Starter Pack to create quite an impresisve looking building with windows. She enjoyed the challenge of angling the pieces to create the roof, as well as pulling the pieces apart to adjust her finished design.

The tiles held together really well – far better than magnetic toys we have used in the past. The pieces are really bold and bright and felt really sturdy when they were attached, which certainly reduced the risk (or frustration) of them falling down as you insert the last piece.

The Connetix Transport pack is ideal for children who may need a bit more inspiration to start their builds. including a selection of base tiles with wheels that can be used as the start of a car, train or lorry.

Connetix held Neve’s attention really well and she was quite content playing with the tiles over fairly long periods – some screen free fun which was lovely to see in an older child so often swayed by the draw of her tablet.

THe biggest frustration about Connetix (and a relatively minor one at that), is that the boxes are almost perfectly sized for the contents. This made packing them away after use feel a bit like a game of Tetris, trying to get all the pieces flat enough inside so we could close the lid without it bulging. A small price to pay for however for an otherwise all round great gift for kids.

What we love about Connetix Magnetic Tiles

• Free play – Connetix Magnetic Tiles have no set rules or instructions, leaving children free to use their imaginations, get creative and enjoy a unique play experience every single time. While some of the packs have inspiration like wheels and windows to kick start their enthusiasm, it’s great to sit back and observe as they bring their Connetix creations to life.
• Grow with your child – Some toys can be outgrown relatively quickly, especially when marketed at younger children. The great thing about Connetix is that its just as much fun for a three year old as it is for an 8 year old, with their creations becoming more complex and creative as they grow in confidence.
• Expansion packs available – the starter packs come with a decent amount of pieces, so your child won’t get frustrated when their aren’t enough tiles left for a roof on their latest mansion. That said, all the kits are compatible, meaning you can eaisly grow and expand your Connetix collection as your child grows. We love the look of the marble sets and the pastel Connetix range.
• Strong and durable – Our Connetix sets have had considerable use, including some fairly enthusiastic knocking down of towers and buildings, yet they have stayed completely as new – without any major signs of use.,
• Connetix instagram and website is full of inspiration if you get stuck for what to build next! Check out some of these easy to follow guides on the Connetix Website!

Cons of Connetix Magnetic Tiles

• There’s no getting away from the fact that Connetix isn’t a budget gift and in fact, can be quite a large investment for most families. That said, you certainly do get what you pay for. This is the kind of toy that could easily be enjoyed for many years to come, and become a classic playtime toy like LEGO and Playmobil.
• As mentioned above, the tiles can be a little tricky to pack away perfectly inside the original box and certainly not something my child could do on her own. If you’re a parent who likes to try and encourage the kids to tidy up after themselves, this may be a little frustrating.

Overall verdict of Connetix

Overall, we are complete Connetix converts and absolutely love the sets as educational, STEM and creative toys with no rules or instructions. It’s so lovely to see your children thinking logically, problem-solving and using their imagination – but you can easily build up to following prepared designs as your child grows in confidence.