Connetix Bright Portal Tiles Review

DISCLOSURE -THIS ITEM WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE THE REVIEWER’S OWN.

Reviewed by Amy Peacey

As a mum to a curious and imaginative three year old daughter, I’m always on the lookout for toys that encourage creativity, independent play, and learning disguised as fun. It is always good to find a toy that can entertain her long enough to put the washing on and actually enjoy a hot cup of coffee.

I was really excited to received the Connetix Pastel Portal Tiles 48 piece pack. My daughter has a set of magnetic tiles which she loves but I do find them a bit flimsy.

What struck me about the Connetix tiles was the quality. The tiles have a really sturdy design and are very robust. The magnets are strong enough to withstand enthusiastic toddler hands without being so strong that my daughter gets frustrated pulling them apart. The tiles have really eye catching colours which grabbed my daughter’s attention.

The “portal” element is what truly sets this pack apart. These square cut outs have become windows, doors, tunnels, but are generally used in our house to be entrances to the bunk beds for my daughter’s cars. We made a 4 storey bunk bed for her cars. My daughter’s imagination has blossomed with them in ways that surprised me. She loves placing little cars in the boxes she makes and also enjoys building ramps as the magnets are strong enough to hold the weight of the cars racing down. They add a fresh dimension to her usual magnetic tile builds and keep her engaged for longer stretches of independent play.

As a parent, I appreciate that Connetix tiles aren’t just fun they are also educational. With this set, I’ve seen real growth in her fine motor skills and increased understanding of shapes and balance. Even though she’s only three, she’s begun experimenting with symmetry, height, cause and effect and storytelling. It’s learning without screens, without pressure, and without her even realising she’s learning at all.

Another huge plus is how well these portal tiles combine with other magnetic tiles and the other Connetix sets. The cross compatibility means this set doesn’t feel standalone but rather a creative extension of what we already own.

On the practical side, clean up is surprisingly easy. The tiles wipe clean quickly, stack nicely, and don’t take up much storage space. The box they come in is also great for storage as it is sturdy and can be reused easily.

At three, she’s already getting so much from it, but I can see her continuing to use these tiles in more sophisticated builds as she grows.

If there’s one thing to note, it’s that 48 pieces disappear quickly when your child gets into building bigger structures. While this pack is wonderful on its own, it will better alongside another Connetix set.

Overall, the Connetix Pastel Portal Tiles have sparked joy, creativity, problem solving, and hours of peaceful, imaginative play in our home. For any parent looking to expand a magnetic tile collection or to start one this set is a beautiful, high quality, and truly magical choice.

The only downside is the price. The RRP of the Connetix Pastel Portal Tiles (48 pack) is £79 so it is an expensive toy. Especially as there are cheaper alternatives, although the quality far outweighs these.

Rating: 4/5 – the only downsize is the price.

This product can be purchased from

https://www.johnlewis.com/connetix-bright-portal-tiles-pack-of-48/p113997243