Creative toys: testing Connetix magnetic tiles

My 4-year-old son is familiar with Connetix tiles from kindergarten. So far, I’ve been reluctant to give the construction kits a spot in our playroom at home. Not because I don’t like them, but because we’ve already got more than enough toys. When I was given the opportunity to review a large Connectix Rainbow set, however, I couldn’t resist.

Construction kits

Connetix Creative Pack

Construction kits

Connetix Creative Pack

Due to a lack of motivation on my part, the box was initially left lying unopened in the hallway. With my son sent home sick from kindergarten one day, however, I sensed the time was ripe and grabbed the box. Together, we inspected the contents: 100 magnetic tiles in various colours, shapes and sizes.

Works like magic... erm, magnets

The squares and triangles have tiny magnets built into their edges. In other words, they can be pieced together without having to click them into an appropriate slot. As a result, you can string them together and make them into a tower. Supposedly, this is all so easy that even three-year-olds can manage it. But what can I say? Adults (35-year-old mums like myself, to be precise) apparently aren’t smart enough to get it right. While I was struggling to fabricate a roof out of two triangles, my son was halfway to building a castle.

I wouldn’t have guessed initially that the magnets could both hold firm and easily break apart when desired. My son, already practised in the art of playing with the tiles in kindergarten, simply has to hover one tile over another before the two are drawn together by the built-in magnets. With a soft clicking sound, it holds fast.

If there’s anyone more enraptured with the tiles that my son, it’s his father. Which isn’t surprising, given his love for fooling around with Lego. With his help, what starts out as a series of bridges and boxes quickly becomes an architectural masterpiece:

In the days that follow, the Connetix tiles become a playroom favourite. My son combines them with his Brio wooden train set and builds little houses for his Tonie figures, which are also magnetic. He then sets his constructions up in front of the slide attached to the bunk bed, before he and his brother take turns shooting down it, smashing his creations to smithereens. This brings me to yet another plus point: the tiles, which slightly resemble floppy disks from the 90s, are seriously sturdy. Despite my two little ones stampeding round the playroom, not a single magnetic piece breaks.

To my surprise, the Connetix set has won me over – I just lack the patience to build anything with it. My son, however, is constantly building new structures, before destroying them and coming up with new ones – even without his father’s help.

No sign of boredom setting in

The one thing I’m happy about? The fun my kids are having is showing no signs of dissipating. This is probably because my son didn’t just «complete» the Connetix set. Since we unsealed the box a few weeks ago, hardly a day has gone by without the tiles making an appearance.

The price is a little steep in my book, but if you’re looking for a creative, varied, durable construction kit, it’s well worth it. Connetix has got the recommended age rating right – in fact, my younger son, who’s almost two, often caught his fingers on the tiles at first. After about three attempts, however, he got the hang of it. Much to the chagrin of his big brother, he was soon enjoying playing with the tiles just as much – and more importantly, there were no more accidents. The manufacturers have also chosen a child-friendly material for the tiles – ABS plastic, a man-made material with a very hard surface. What’s more, they don’t contain toxic substances such as plasticisers BPA or phthalates, nor do they contain lead.

My verdict? Not a toy for impatient adults. When it comes to young children aged three and up, however, it really is a great set. Using it, they can build bridges, castles, motorways – pretty much anything they like. Your little ones will be able to play with the tiles every day without getting bored. The sets promote creativity and spatial awareness. In building every day, my son is becoming increasingly creative, proudly presenting me with each one of his Connetix creations.

The set I tested contains:

• 6 large squares
• 36 small squares
• 12 equilateral triangles
• 12 right-angled triangles
• 12 isosceles triangles
• 6 windows
• 6 doors
• 4 rectangles
• 6 fences
• 1 booklet of design ideas