New Standout 2026 Toy Launches – From CONNETIX, Tickit & Orchard Toys

Standout 2026 Toy Launches – CONNETIX, Tickit & Orchard Toys | AD

Spring has sprung – a new season is here which means some exciting new toy launches. In this article, we’ll explore some brilliant new releases that bring together early learning, creative construction, and imaginative play. Read on to find out more. 

CONNETIX 48 Piece Pastel Portal Pack

Let’s start this guide with a new release from one of our favourite toy brands – CONNETIX. The award-winning Australian magnetic tile brand has expanded its range with some new products, including the CONNETIX 48 Piece Pastel Portal Pack.

New Open-Frame Tiles

The innovative Portal range from CONNETIX features two different sizes of open-frame tiles that nest together along with mini squares that fit inside the openings. The large and standard squares have magnetic connection points on both the inner and outer edges. The mini squares feature Smart-Spin™ technology that allow the magnets to rotate up to 360 degrees for more dynamic and multi-directional building. This new set opens up new possibilities and expands play into being more layered and ambitious, creating exciting creativity opportunities that will grow more complex with your child’s age and development. 

The CONNETIX 48 Piece Pastel Portal Pack features the brand’s eight signature pastel colours in the three new different-sized squares that have been purposefully designed to nest neatly together. The pack includes 8 large portals, 8 standard portals, and 32 mini squares along with an inspiration booklet full of ideas for how to use your new tiles on their own and combined with other CONNETIX sets.

The pack of portals add structure and versatility to play. They’re great for architectural builds, building characters and animals, imaginative small worlds, beautiful patterns and more. The set encourages experimentation, spatial thinking and problem-solving as children develop and test their ideas while working on their builds. 

CONNETIX Quality

All CONNETIX tiles are made with strong magnets and a unique bevel design for added durability and for the beautiful clear refractions that this creates. The new open-framed portals introduce new structural possibilities but the strength and stability is maintained. Additionally, all CONNETIX tiles are made from non-toxic ABS plastic that is BPA and phthalate-free. The tiles are ultrasonically sealed and riveted for enhanced safety and durability too.

CONNETIX is the ultimate educational toy that supports open-ended STEAM learning through hands-on play. The sets are recommended from age 3+ and are suitable for all ages over that. They are lots of fun for grow-ups too! We love playing with CONNETIX as a family. Children of all ages love getting creative designing, building and having fun with these brilliant magnetic tiles.

Growing our collection with the new Pastel Portal Pack has expanded our build options even more!

The Pastel Portal Pack is available from CONNETIX and Amazon.co.uk  | RRP £79 | Age 3+

Tickit Lighthouse Island Playset

From the home of educational play, the stunning Tickit Lighthouse Island Playset makes a wonderful addition to any playroom or play set-up. The wooden lighthouse is beautifully crafted from FSC-certified birch plywood and features tactile laser detailing, a rotating gem lighthouse topper, and a removable acrylic rock pool – for coastal eco system discovery. 

The lighthouse comes packed flat and is easy for children to assemble themselves. Additionally, it separates into island and tower configurations, extending imaginative play even further. 

It’s an absolutely gorgeous playset that is so much fun for little ones. The Tickit Lighthouse Island Playset is great for at home but would also work well in a preschool or primary school setting. More than just being a joy to play with, the set also encourages conversations about ocean life, weather and environmental awareness.

My 7-year-old absolutely adores playing with this lighthouse playset. She plays with it as it is, all together and with all the included accessories that come with the lighthouse. Included are a wooden lighthouse keeper, a seagull, a seal, a dolphin, a fish, a crab, a stone and seaweed.

She also plays with the different parts in other ways and with other toys. She especially loves using the island base as a seaside destination for Sylvanian Families figures to visit. The rotating gem at the top and the removable rock pool are details that she loves too. 

The Tickit Lighthouse Island Playset is a brilliant resource that looks amazing and transforms play into a multisensory discovery and storytelling experience. 

Get yours from the Tickit website here. | RRP £49.99 | Age 3+

Five Little Ducks – Orchard Toys

Finally, a sweet game for young children. Orchard Toys is the best brand for educational and fun children’s games and puzzles. Their new Five Little Ducks game is a charming first counting board game for children aged 3+. 

The game for 2-4 players was inspired by the beloved nursery rhyme with the same name. Five Little Ducks features chunky, child-friendly pieces and introduces important early learning skills including counting, colour recognition and matching, observation skills, turn-taking and social development. 

Players take turns turning over the lily pads from the pond board. If you find a duckling, place it on the hill. If it’s a mother duck, you call your ducklings back by saying “quack, quack, quack”. 

Little ones will love collecting their duck family as they count their ducks back home. The first one to collect all five of their coloured ducklings and call them home is the winner. 

It’s a simple and fun game that is sure to make children laugh while they practice their skills and build their confidence. 

Five Little Ducks is available from Orchard Toys, TG Jones, The Works and Amazon.co.uk  | RRP £12

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