How to Make a Stop Motion with CONNETIX: A Beginners Guide

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.

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 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 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.