For most families, a Connetix Rainbow Starter Pack 60 pc ($119) or Connetix Pastel Starter Pack 64 pc ($145) is the easiest place to start. Want to try Connetix for less first? A Mini pack ($39–$65) is a small step in. Buying for a family, or want more to build with from day one? Go for a Creative Pack 104 pc ($165). Every Connetix pack works with every other pack, so whatever you choose first, you can add to it later.
In this guide
- What age should you start with Connetix?
- Which starter pack should you choose?
- Choosing by budget
- What's in a starter pack?
- What to add next
- Tips for getting the most from your first pack
- FAQs
What age should you start with Connetix?
Connetix tiles have magnets and small parts inside them, so they aren't for little ones who still put things in their mouths. Where our Connetix product pages give an age guide, it's 3+. Always check the listing for the pack you're buying.
After that, it's mostly about how your child likes to play:
- Around 3: lots of children start by laying tiles flat to make colour patterns, then stack them and carry them about. Big squares and simple triangles are all they need.
- Around 4–5: builds start going up. Think walls, roofs, towers and enclosures for toy animals. This is when a few more tiles really helps.
- Around 6–8 and older: bigger, more deliberate projects like multi-room houses, car parks and ball runs. Extra shapes and specialty pieces start to matter here.
The same tiles keep working as your child grows, which is why a starter pack is a good first buy.
Which starter pack should you choose?
Connetix Rainbow Starter Pack 60 pc ($119): our pick for most families
60 tiles in bright rainbow colours: large and small squares plus three types of triangles. That's plenty for a first house, castle, rocket or car park in 2D or 3D, and it isn't too much for a younger builder.
Shop the Rainbow Starter Pack 60 pc
Connetix Pastel Starter Pack 64 pc ($145): for pastel lovers
The same idea in soft pastel colours, a mix of squares and triangles, with 64 pieces. A lovely fit for calmer, neutral-toned playrooms, or for a child who has already fallen for the pastel tiles at kindy or a friend's place.
Shop the Pastel Starter Pack 64 pc
Connetix Clear Starter Pack 34 pc ($89): for light play and add-ons
Clear tiles look great on a window sill or light table, and they're perfect for ice castles, snowflakes, windows and glasshouses. With 34 pieces, it's a nice small first set or a stylish extra for a rainbow or pastel collection.
Shop the Clear Starter Pack 34 pc
Creative Pack 104 pc ($165): for a bigger start
If you know your child (or a group of siblings) will love building, starting bigger saves you buying an extra pack straight away. Connetix calls the Bright Creative Pack 104 pc "the perfect starter option for family play". It comes in bright colours, and the Pastel Creative Pack 104 pc is the same 104-piece mix in eight pastel colours. Both include open squares and 2-square rectangles, which come in handy for windows, doors, fences and small-world play.
Shop the Bright Creative Pack 104 pc · Shop the Pastel Creative Pack 104 pc
Choosing by budget
| Budget | Pack | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $70 | Travel Mini Pack 32 pc | $39 | Building on the go. Mini tiles in a carry tin that doubles as a build surface, with reusable stickers |
| Connetix Rainbow Mini Pack 24 pc | $49 | Trying out magnetic tiles before you buy a bigger pack | |
| Connetix Pastel Mini Pack 32 pc | $65 | A small pastel first set: 16 squares and 16 triangles | |
| $89–$145 | Connetix Clear Starter Pack 34 pc | $89 | Light play, or adding to a coloured set |
| Connetix Rainbow Starter Pack 60 pc | $119 | Most first-time buyers | |
| Connetix Pastel Starter Pack 64 pc | $145 | Pastel lovers | |
| $159–$165 | Connetix Ball Run Bright Pack 114 pc | $159 | Kids who love marbles, ramps and races |
| Connetix Bright Creative Pack 104 pc | $165 | A bigger bright start, or a second pack | |
| Connetix Pastel Creative Pack 104 pc | $165 | A bigger pastel start, or a second pack | |
| $300+ | Connetix Bright Mega Pack 202 pc | $329 | Big families, shared play and big projects |
| Connetix Pastel Mega Pack 202 pc | $349 | The pastel version of a big all-in-one set |
A mini pack is a cheap way to see if your child takes to magnetic tiles. Keep in mind that 24–32 tiles doesn't go far once they start building upwards. If you're fairly sure they'll love it, a 60+ piece starter gives you more for your money from day one.
What's in a Connetix starter pack?
Starter packs stick to the basics:
- Squares: for walls, floors and flat panels. These are the shapes you'll use most.
- Triangles: for roofs, pyramids and points. The Rainbow Starter Pack 60 pc has three types of triangle.
The bigger Creative Packs add shapes like open squares (windows and doors) and 2-square rectangles. The Mega Packs add even more, including car bases. Every product page lists what's in the box, so check the listing for an exact shape count before you buy.
What to add next
Connetix packs all work together, whether they're Rainbow, Bright, Pastel or Clear. So there's no wrong order. Just follow what your child loves:
- More tiles for bigger builds: Bright Creative Pack 104 pc ($165) or Pastel Creative Pack 104 pc ($165). Each includes 40 standard squares, 48 triangles (isosceles, right-angle and equilateral), 8 open squares and 8 2-square rectangles, plus an inspiration book.
- Ball runs: Ball Run Bright Pack 114 pc ($159) comes with clear fluted tubes, including six spiral tubes, 8 wooden balls, split tubes, a funnel and a release gate. It also has its own 16 standard squares and 24 connector tiles. Prefer pastels? Try the Pastel Ball Run Pack 106 pc ($165), with 8 wooden balls, clear fluted tubes, S-bends, split tubes and stair tubes. Ball runs are great for kids who love cause and effect: build it, drop a ball in, change it, try again. See every Connetix ball run pack.
- Cars and vehicles: the Rainbow Transport Pack 50 pc ($119) and Pastel Transport Pack 50 pc ($119) each include a reversible transport base and two clear motion bases with real rubber wheels, so kids can build their own trucks, trains, planes and fire engines.
- Shapes and patterns: the Rainbow Geometry Pack 30 pc ($70) adds hexagons and triangles for mandalas, pyramids and pattern play. It's great for kids who are into shapes and early maths.
Want to see everything at once? Browse all Connetix starter packs or the full Connetix range.
Tips for getting the most from your first pack
- Build on a hard, flat surface. Tiles connect and slide more easily on a table or hard floor than on carpet.
- Try them on a light table or a sunny window. Light shines through the tiles, which makes coloured shadows and patterns.
- Start flat, then go up. Young children often make flat patterns before they work out that tiles can stand up and join at angles. Let them get there in their own time.
- Follow their lead. Try not to show them "the right way". Kids often come up with their best builds when they're left to experiment.
- Look for ideas together. Creative and Mega packs come with an inspiration book, and looking at photos of builds together can spark new ideas for older kids.
60 bright rainbow tiles: squares and three types of triangles
Shop Now
104 bright tiles, including open squares and 2-square rectangles, plus an inspiration book
Shop Now
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Connetix pack for a 3-year-old?
For most 3-year-olds, start with the Connetix Rainbow Starter Pack 60 pc ($119) or the Pastel Starter Pack 64 pc ($145). They have simple squares and triangles, with enough tiles to build in 3D but not so many that it's overwhelming. Check the age guide on the product page before you buy.
How many Connetix tiles do you need to start?
A mini pack (24–32 tiles) is enough to try magnetic tiles. For building that keeps them busy, 60 or more tiles is a comfortable starting point. That's why we suggest a 60–64 piece starter pack or a 104-piece Creative Pack for most families.
What's the difference between a Starter Pack and a Creative Pack?
Starter Packs (34–64 pieces) cover the basics: squares and triangles. Creative Packs (104 pieces) add more of each, plus open squares and 2-square rectangles for windows, doors and fences. A Creative Pack works as a bigger first set or as the next step after a starter.
Do Rainbow, Bright, Pastel and Clear Connetix tiles work together?
Yes. Connetix packs are compatible across the whole range, so you can mix colourways and add ball run, transport or geometry packs whenever you like.
Do Connetix tiles work with other magnetic tile brands?
Connetix tiles are designed to be used with other Connetix tiles. Some other brands may connect because they're a similar size, but we can't guarantee how well they'll fit or work together.
