10 Fun ways to use the CONNETIX Bright Portal Pack

By CONNETIX

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been exploring the new CONNETIX Bright Portal Pack, and I’m genuinely impressed by how versatile and playful it is. This pack isn’t just an add-on—it stands beautifully on its own while also mixing seamlessly with existing CONNETIX tiles and the PRO line. The mini tiles included are among the most delightful pieces I’ve used so far—small but full of creative potential. They add extra fun and beautiful details to every build, turning even simple creations into something special.

That satisfying click when connecting the tiles—thanks to the —is every bit as satisfying as it sounds. You can almost imagine the magnets spinning and locking into place, adding to the tactile, almost ASMR-like joy of building. The colours are stunning: vivid rainbow tones paired with two new shades, teal and bright pink, that feel fresh and bold. With ultra-strong magnets and the same smart-spin system found in the PRO line, these tiles feel premium, sturdy, and thoughtfully designed.

In this post, I’m sharing some of my favourite creative ways to use the Bright Portal Pack—whether on its own or combined with your other CONNETIX sets—and how each idea brings both fun and learning to family playtime.

1. Computer keyboard pretend play

I built a “flat monitor” using the large portal tiles and created a keyboard with the mini tiles and regular-sized portal tiles—all included in the Bright Portal Pack. I was inspired by Natalia from @maslenmoments on Instagram, who showed me how to make buttons with mini tiles. To recreate the keyboard keys, place two mini tiles so they repel against a regular portal tile, making use of the magnetic attraction and repulsion depending on alignment. The pretend typing sounds—click, click, click—are surprisingly satisfying and realistic.

Learning benefit: Builds fine-motor control, introduces magnetic polarity and repulsion, and inspires imaginative play about technology and design. It’s also a fun cooperative activity for the whole family to set up and “type” together.

2. Sliding puzzle challenge

Using only mini tiles and a short rectangle (the size of two standard CONNETIX squares), I created a mini sliding puzzle. The bright colours and clicky sound make it extra engaging as you slide each piece into place.

Learning benefit: Encourages logical thinking, pattern recognition, and patience while improving spatial awareness. This is a great brain teaser that everyone in the family can take turns trying to solve.

3. Dollhouse for favourite toy characters

The first thing that came to my mind when I first heard about the mini tiles was how they would add more details to a build—especially a dollhouse. I built this one using the Bright Portal Pack together with a few clear tiles—a combination that truly feels like a match made in heaven. The clear tiles let the light shine through, making the bright portals and mini tiles stand out beautifully and giving the whole build a vivid, inviting feel. The mini tiles were perfect for building a small staircase outside the house, adding extra detail and another layer of fun to the play. It’s full of character and instantly invites imaginative play—a perfect little home for your child’s favourite toy figures and characters.

Learning benefit: Encourages creative thinking, storytelling, and spatial awareness. Kids learn how smaller pieces can enhance a design, explore structure and balance, and bring their imaginative worlds to life through open-ended play.

4. Truck and trailer build with car and transport bases, portals, mini tiles, and a few clear tiles

For this build, I combined the car and transport bases with regular portals, a few clear tiles, and mini tiles from the Bright Portal Pack to create a truck with a trailer pulling a motorhome. The mix of pieces made the build vibrant and dynamic, with the mini tiles adding detailed highlights that spark even more imagination. The structure is sturdy enough to stay together while moving, yet easy for kids to handle, rebuild, and reimagine.

Learning benefit: A fun and engaging way to explore engineering concepts and spatial design. Kids can experiment with connections, balance, and movement, while parents join in for a hands-on team project—perfect for imaginative road trips or caravan play scenes!

5. Recreating the family’s favourite board game

My daughter loves Sagaland, so we built our own version using the Bright Portal Pack and wooden toy figures as players. You can easily recreate any family board game this way.

Learning benefit: Enhances creativity, strategy, and rule-based play. Recreating a favourite game brings the family together, combining imagination with shared memories and cooperative fun.

6. Simple DIY mini-maze game

Using one portal, 22 mini tiles, and a wooden ball, we built a simple maze where the ball rolls down the path into a centre hole.

Learning benefit: Teaches hand-eye coordination, cause and effect, and simple physics (gravity and motion). This activity is great for quiet, focused play that kids and parents can enjoy together.

7. Tricky version of the DIY mini maze game

This version uses one portal, eight mini tiles, and a few small wooden balls. The goal is to roll the balls along the square track while preventing them from falling off—each corner has two mini tiles acting as guards. It looks easy but quickly becomes a challenge.

Learning benefit: Builds concentration, balance, and fine-motor precision. A great game for the whole family to compete in while developing control and patience.

8. Double-portal mini maze challenge

Using two portals, 29 mini tiles, and a wooden ball, this maze challenges you to roll the ball from one end to the other without dropping it. Simple in appearance but surprisingly tricky.

Learning benefit: Encourages teamwork and persistence. It’s perfect for group play, helping family members practice patience, strategy, and steady hand movements.

9. Protoceratops build using mini tiles and PROs

For dinosaur lovers, I built Protoceratops using mini tiles from the Bright Portal Pack and a few PRO pieces. The combination of bright colours makes it visually striking and easy for kids to replicate.

Learning benefit: Sparks curiosity about prehistoric life, teaches symmetry and shape recognition, and develops fine motor skills. It’s a fun family project for learning and creative storytelling about dinosaurs.

10. Disco-light build with a portal, mini tiles, and one light-up tile

This is one of my all-time favourites. I used one portal, 25 mini tiles, and one light-up tile from the Light Up Pack to make a disco-style spinner. The glowing lights paired with the satisfying click of the tiles create an irresistible sensory experience. It became our family’s shared fidget toy—we found ourselves spinning it repeatedly throughout the day.

Learning benefit: Excellent for sensory play, calm focus, and creative patterning. The soothing lights and sounds make it ideal for relaxation or mindful moments with kids.

There’s something truly special about the Bright Portal Pack. Whether used on its own or combined with other CONNETIX packs, it opens even more fun and exciting ways to create, play, and imagine. Each satisfying click and every colorful connection reminds me that play and creativity have no age limit—they simply grow with us.

Building and exploring this new pack has been such an inspiring experience. I’ve loved discovering how the bright portals and mini tiles can transform even the simplest builds into something magical—full of colour, light, and imagination. Every play session sparks new ideas, whether I’m experimenting with a new structure, creating simple game ideas, or joining my daughter to see what we can dream up together.

The Bright Portal Pack offers endless opportunities for learning and fun. With every build, you find new ways to mix, connect, and explore—whether it’s through creative builds, open-ended play, or interactive games. If you’re looking to bring more colour, creativity, and joy into your playtime—whether with your kids or on your own—this set is a wonderful place to start.

And this is just the beginning; these are only a few ideas while the pack is still new. I’m sure there are many more playful, creative, and inspiring builds (and games!) will continue to emerge as we keep exploring the Bright Portal Pack even further.

CONNETIX

The CONNETIX Team of Play Experts include masters qualified teachers, early childhood educators, industry specialists and dedicated parents who are all passionate about the benefits of open-ended play, STEAM learning and quality resources, bringing knowledge, experience and love of all things CONNETIX to everything they share.

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