How to Make a Stop Motion with CONNETIX: A Beginners Guide
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Lights, Camera, Action! Bring your CONNETIX builds to life with stop motion magic. I love making stop motions with CONNETIX. It’s perfect for storytelling, animating creations or sharing quick tutorials without being on camera. The best part is that anyone can do it at home! In this blog, I’ll share my go-to tools, simple techniques and a few tips I’ve picked up along the way.
You don’t need fancy gear to create stop motion fun. All you need is a camera (or your phone) and something to keep it steady. When I first started, I propped my phone in a small container and used square CONNETIX tiles to angle it just right. It worked (sort of), but it took forever to set up! Now, I use a tripod, which is much easier and quicker. There are many affordable tripods available and often they come with a remote, which I highly recommend using. Even just the slightest camera movement (like tapping the shutter) can spoil the flow of your video. A remote allows you to take photos without the need to touch your camera.
Good lighting makes a big difference to stop motions and it’s possible without special equipment. I use natural light whenever I can because CONNETIX looks so good in it. Unfortunately, moving objects (e.g. clouds, trees, cars or playful kids) can alter natural light, causing a flickering effect in your final video. Sometimes I embrace it, but usually I wait for a sunny day or film at night once the kids are in bed. Night lighting is more consistent, but house lights can add a yellow tinge or cause glare. I’ve learned to pick my filming spots carefully. I close doors, avoid glare where possible and position myself so my shadow or reflection doesn’t sneak into the frame.
I design a lot of my CONNETIX creations on the floor. It’s the best way to test ideas, shuffle tiles around and tweak designs on the fly. Often, I’m surrounded by chaos with toys scattered everywhere and my boys playing close by. I snap a few photos along the way to lock in my favourite designs. Later they become a handy guide when I’m ready to turn the design into a stop motion.
There are many awesome ways to create stop motions with CONNETIX. Here are four fun styles to kick start your stop motion adventures.
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The CONNETIX team of play experts is made up of qualified teachers, early childhood educators, industry specialists and dedicated parents who are passionate about open-ended play, STEAM learning and quality resources. Together, they share their expertise, experience and love of all things CONNETIX to inspire play-based learning.
This effect works best with a large whiteboard. It can work on the floor too, as long as your tripod can capture a top-down view and your flooring is light-coloured and not too busy. Start by building your design in the centre of the whiteboard or floor. Set up the tripod so that the design sits in the middle of your camera frame. Snap a photo, then slightly move and rotate each tile and snap another photo. Keep repeating this process until all the tiles are on the edge of the whiteboard and out of the frame. When editing, play the photos in reverse to reveal the design, and then forward them to watch it disappear again.
CONNETIX tiles are officially MESH accredited, meaning they support three key areas of a child’s development:
Mental: Encouraging problem-solving, spatial reasoning, focus and logical thinking as children design and build.
Emotional: Building confidence, patience, and resilience as they experiment, make mistakes, and try again.
Social Health: Promoting teamwork, communication, and cooperation during group play or classroom activities.
They also promote STEAM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). While playing, children naturally explore concepts like magnetism, balance and geometry. They practise engineering skills when creating stable structures, and they express creativity through patterns, colour combinations, and imaginative designs.
With every build, CONNETIX offers a blend of fun and purposeful learning that benefits children well beyond playtime.
CONNETIX is designed to adapt to a child’s stage of development, making it a toy that truly grows with them. For preschoolers, the bright colours and simple shapes introduce early concepts like colour recognition, shape sorting, and basic stacking. As they gain confidence, they begin experimenting with simple builds, improving hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
For early primary-aged children, CONNETIX becomes a tool for imaginative play and storytelling. They might build houses for toy animals, garages for cars, or castles for their favourite characters, all while developing problem-solving skills and spatial awareness.
Older children take things to the next level, using the tiles to engineer complex structures such as bridges, towers, ball runs, and geometric patterns. They begin to explore concepts like symmetry, stability, and design planning, often incorporating STEAM principles without even realising it!
Because CONNETIX is so versatile, they can engage siblings of different ages at the same time, as well as bring together parents, grandparents, or even neighbours. A three-year-old might be stacking squares while an older sibling builds a multi-level ball run right beside them, creating opportunities for shared play, cooperation, and learning together. This makes CONNETIX a toy that works for the whole family, year after year (hello Friday night boardgame night!)
CONNETIX are designed with busy families in mind. The smooth tile surface means that a quick wipe with a damp cloth is all it takes to remove fingerprints, crumbs, or sticky residue from little hands. There are no tricky grooves or small parts to trap dirt, making them one of the most low-maintenance toys you can own.
When playtime is over, the tiles stack together neatly which makes tidying up fast and satisfying for both kids and adults. Because they pack down compactly, they are also easy to take along to grandparents’ houses, playdates, or even on holiday, ensuring creative play is always within reach without creating clutter at home.
CONNETIX tiles are built to last, making them a thoughtful choice for families who value sustainability. Their high-quality, non-toxic materials and strong construction mean they can withstand years of active play without losing their vibrant colours or magnetic strength. Unlike many toys that break, wear out, or lose their appeal after a short time, CONNETIX remains engaging across different ages and stages, ensuring they stay in use rather than ending up in landfill.
As they are timeless in design, they can be passed down to younger siblings, cousins, friends, or even donated to schools and community centres. This not only reduces waste but also extends the joy and learning benefits to more children. By investing in a toy that grows with the child and retains its quality, you are making a purchase that is both environmentally responsible and economically smart.
CONNETIX has earned recognition from respected toy and education awards, giving parents and gift buyers confidence in its quality and value. Many early learning centres and classrooms use the tiles to teach concepts like geometry, symmetry, and problem-solving, while encouraging teamwork and communication. This professional trust means you are giving a gift that is both fun and proven to support learning and development.
There’s something about the stunning colours (hello pastels) and beautiful light refractions that creates a delightful sensory experience and aesthetic appeal for parents too! Not only do CONNETIX feel great in the home, but they also unleash our inner-child and curiosity to create, imagine and explore – something that is so often overlooked as adults. CONNETIX provide an opportunity for parents to unwind, engage in selfcare and simply, to have FUN. So, whether you’re building epic creations together with your child or playing solo after the kids go to bed, CONNETIX really is a grown-up approved toy!
Now you know why CONNETIX truly deserves a place under the tree or at the next party. More than just toys, these tiles are tools for growth, connection, and fun. Whether you are gifting a first set or adding to an existing collection, you are giving more than a present; you are giving the gift of imagination, learning, and play that will be enjoyed for years to come.
Whether you are buying for a beginner or a seasoned builder, there is a CONNETIX pack for every age and interest. Check out the Gift Guide to find your perfect Pack!
Happy Playing!
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