# Nico & Nor Shadow Cave — Preschool STEM Learning

> Preschool STEM learning app using shapes to create and match shadows. (iPhone/iPad app by WGBH.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nico-and-nor-shadow-cave/id1604645573 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [WGBH](https://appshunter.io/developer/324170330)
- Category: Education, Games
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 7 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 24 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2022-01-18
- Data updated: 2026-06-24
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nico-and-nor-shadow-cave/id1604645573/reviews.md

## What is Nico & Nor Shadow Cave?

Use shapes to block light and make shadows on cave walls! Choose from squares, rectangles, circles, triangles, semi circles, and parallelograms to create just the right object. Then match the mysterious outline on the wall by moving the object to make the shadow bigger or smaller. When the shadow is just the right size and shape, see what the cave drawings reveal! With a magical mysterious cave and the chance to create your own shadows and cave drawing designs, Shadow Cave is a cozy and creative exploration of the math and the science of shadows. Families can also choose to play in English or Spanish!


Features

- Playable in both English and Spanish
- 9 levels with challenges to create objects to block light and make shadows
- 3 free-play levels to design your own shadows and cave drawings
- Imaginative shadow designs based on combinations of geometric shapes
- Adaptive feedback to support learning
- Co-developed by researchers, preschool teachers, and parents
- Alignment with early STEM learning trajectories
- No in-app purchases
- No advertising


Shadow Cave and the entire curriculum supplement from Early Science with Nico & Nor® was rigorously researched and developed for home and preschool classroom use. It combines traditional hands-on activities with digital learning to promote young children’s engagement with science practices and concepts while also building their math skills and providing ways to participate in the engineering process.


About First 8 Studios @ WGBH

GBH Kids has pioneered children's educational media for decades. First 8 Studios @ WGBH is dedicated to carrying this pioneering spirit into the digital, mobile world. First 8 Studios creates mobile experiences to support the healthy growth of children from birth through age 8. At the heart of this work is a commitment to research-based development and an ongoing collaboration with teachers and children to give them a voice in the digital media development process. You'll find evidence of the big hearts and little fingerprints of our partners throughout each Nico & Nor® experience.


Privacy Policy

First 8 Studios @ WGBH is committed to children's safety and well-being. No personally identifiable data is collected. For our complete Privacy Policy, please visit: https://first8studios.org/privacypolicy.html


Copyright

Early Science with Nico & Nor® and the characters and related indicia are trademarks of First 8 Studios @ WGBH. ®/© 2022 WGBH Educational Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

This Early Science with Nico & Nor® app was produced by GBH Kids.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DRL-1813280. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NSF.

## Key features

- Shape-based shadow creation
- Matching shadow outlines
- English and Spanish language options
- 9 challenge levels
- 3 free-play design levels
- Adaptive learning feedback

## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nico-and-nor-shadow-cave/id1604645573/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Excellent

*2024-07-15*

Educationally sound concepts in an interactive package; no ads or silly pop-ups, no coins, no in-app purchases or subscriptions etc. just a good child-friendly app- Thanks!

## Frequently asked questions about Nico & Nor Shadow Cave

### What is Nico & Nor Shadow Cave?

Nico & Nor Shadow Cave is an educational app designed for preschoolers that teaches STEM concepts through interactive shadow play. Users manipulate geometric shapes to create shadows and match them to outlines.

### Is Nico & Nor Shadow Cave free to download?

Yes, Nico & Nor Shadow Cave is completely free to download and play. It does not contain any in-app purchases or advertisements.

### What age is Nico & Nor Shadow Cave suitable for?

The app is rated for ages 4 and up, making it suitable for preschoolers and early elementary school children. It is co-developed with researchers and preschool teachers.

### Does Nico & Nor Shadow Cave support multiple languages?

Yes, Nico & Nor Shadow Cave can be played in both English and Spanish, offering a bilingual learning experience for young children.

### How does Nico & Nor Shadow Cave help children learn?

The app aligns with early STEM learning trajectories by encouraging problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and an understanding of light and shadow. It provides adaptive feedback to support the learning process.

### What devices can I play Nico & Nor Shadow Cave on?

Currently, Nico & Nor Shadow Cave is supported on iPads. The app was released on January 18, 2022, and its latest version is 1.0.

### How often is Nico & Nor Shadow Cave updated?

Nico & Nor Shadow Cave was last updated on January 18, 2022, with its initial release. Further updates would depend on developer plans.

### What are the learning goals of Nico & Nor Shadow Cave?

The app aims to promote engagement with science practices and concepts, build math skills through geometry, and introduce engineering principles through creative design.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.0 — 2022-01-18

No release notes.

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All apps by WGBH: https://appshunter.io/developer/324170330

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-24.*
