CONNETIX and loose parts play ideas

By Nadi Zoetebier

Have you ever thought about combining your CONNETIX with loose parts? It’s a perfect match! The possibilities with CONNETIX are endless, but when you also add loose parts to play there is much more to explore. Whether it’s colourful gems, little figures, wooden coins/rings or other natural materials, loose parts bring a new dimension to your magnetic tile creations. In this article, you’ll discover why combining CONNETIX and loose parts enhances your play. Get inspired with fun ideas to try at home!

What are loose parts?

Before we kick off with play ideas for CONNETIX with loose parts, here’s a little more information on loose parts. Loose parts are (mostly) small materials that children can use in endless ways during play. Think of items like wooden rings, coins and buttons. Or natural materials, like shells, sticks and stones. These objects encourage children to explore shapes and patterns, as well as develop fine motor skills. Picking up, sorting and placing loose parts requires precision, strengthening hand-eye coordination.

For different age groups, loose parts have various benefits:

Toddlers explore textures and practice grasping and sorting.
Preschoolers build, create patterns and engage in (more) imaginative play.
Older children combine mathematical concepts, construction and storytelling in their play.

As you can imagine engaging loose parts with CONNETIX will enhance these benefits, for all different age groups.

CONNETIX & loose parts play ideas

Here are six play ideas, including what you need (basics) and extra challenges. Have fun!

1. Coin Drops

A simple yet popular creation! Build a tilted/vertical wall with CONNETIX tiles and drop wooden coins or rings through the opening. Watch them slide down. Start simple and adjust the design to experiment with higher coin drops or different paths. This activity is great for fine motor skills and cause-and-effect learning.

Extra challenge:

Create a coin drop with multiple entrances and exits.
Turn it into a game: who can make a coin drop where the coins reach the bottom the fastest?

2. Mandalas and Pattern Play

Use CONNETIX tiles as a base to arrange loose parts in beautiful, symmetrical patterns. Start in the middle with a shape (hexagon for example) and create from there. This type of play encourages patience, concentration and symmetry. It’s also good for counting/learning to count.

Extra challenge:

Use seasonal materials like autumn treasures or Christmas stars.
Add a mathematical element: mirror patterns or work with colour schemes.

3. Colour Sorting Activities

Pair coloured CONNETIX tiles with corresponding loose parts, such as little figures or balls, and encourage children to sort by colour. You can even build small compartments with tiles and place a bucket or container next to each section to make sorting even more fun! In this example we used the three primary colours for sorting and included a little ‘slide’ from the Ball Run Packs to create the ultimate hands-on learning exploration.

Extra challenge:

Turn it into a race: who can sort the fastest?
Use a sand timer to add extra excitement.

4. Rattle with Gems

Create a sensory experience by enclosing small gems or beads within three layers of CONNETIX tiles. Use two transparent squares and a window tile. Put the gems inside. Shake to hear the sounds!

5. Treasure Chest

Build a treasure chest using CONNETIX tiles and hide gems and treasures. Also very useful for finding beauties in nature! Add an extra layer of fun by letting children search for hidden treasures using clues, fostering problem-solving and imaginative play.

Extra challenge:

Draw a treasure map and hide hints.

6. Small World Play

Bring storytelling to life by integrating loose parts into a small world play scene. Use CONNETIX to build castles, farms or houses, and then populate them with wooden figures and animals. Use loose parts for water, grass, wood or other bases.

Extra challenge:

Play ‘create a story’: what’s happening in the castle/house/farm? Bring more figures or animals into play as the story evolves.

Get inspired! With CONNETIX and loose parts, the play possibilities are endless. Whether you’re building a treasure chest, creating a coin drop maze or designing a small world setup – there’s a world of play to discover. Which of these ideas will you try first? Share your creations with us, tag @connetix_tiles or use #connetixtiles.

*Loose parts and CONNETIX tiles are recommended for children 3+. Always assess the suitability of materials based on the age and development of the child.

Nadi Zoetebier

Nadi Zoetebier is a mom of two boys, content creator and the founder of TijdOmTeSpelen.nl – a Dutch blog for open-ended toys and play inspiration. On Instagram, she shares daily tips and creative play ideas with open-ended materials, sensory setups and educational toys via @nadizoetebier.

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