# Nico & Nor Shadow Play

> Interactive app for children to explore the science of shadows and light. (iPhone/iPad app by WGBH.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nico-and-nor-shadow-play/id1200082249 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [WGBH](https://appshunter.io/developer/324170330)
- Category: Education, Games, Family
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 7.0 · 13 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-01-31
- Data updated: 2026-07-04
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nico-and-nor-shadow-play/id1200082249/reviews.md

## What is Nico & Nor Shadow Play?

Long or short, here or there, Mouse sees shadows everywhere in Shadow Play! Help put on a shadow theater show, and discover how shadows change location, size, and shape. Through charming simulations, Shadow Play helps children explore the science of shadows.

Features
• 14 levels of gameplay and exploration
• Fun theater setting for shadow puppets
• Aligns with research-based early science learning trajectories
• No in-app purchases
• No advertising

This app is designed for children to to strengthen their science investigation skills and explore the concepts of shadows as they:
• Understand that a shadow is seen when light shines on a surface and an object blocks some of that light. 
• Identify objects that are blocking light and their shadows. Understand that the shadows of two or more objects can make a combined shadow shape.
• Predict where a shadow will be visible, given a light source, object, and surface.
• Understand that a shadow’s size changes when the distance between the light source and the object changes.
• Describe how the shape of a shadow changes when a light source shines on different sides of an object.
• Understand how a shadow’s length and shape change when the position or angle of the light source changes.

Shadow Play and the entire Shadows curriculum supplement from Early Science with Nico & Nor™ was rigorously researched and developed specifically for preschool classroom use. The Shadows unit contains two apps: Shadow Play and the Shadows Journal. Children and teachers use the Shadows Journal to capture shadows they find and make with photographs, scavenger hunts, and a matching game.

Each Early Science with Nico & Nor curriculum supplement combines traditional classroom activities with digital learning to promote young children’s engagement with age-appropriate science practices and concepts during circle time, learning centers, read-aloud book sessions, snack time, and outdoor play! 

About First 8 Studios at WGBH
WGBH Educational Foundation has pioneered children's educational media for decades. First 8 Studios at WGBH is dedicated to carrying this pioneering spirit into the digital, mobile world. First 8 Studios contributes to research by creating mobile experiences to support the healthy growth of children from birth through age 8. At the heart of this work is a commitment to ongoing collaborations with teachers, parents, pediatricians, education researchers, 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 at WGBH is committed to children's safety and well-being. This app collects only anonymous, aggregated analytics data for the purpose of improving the app experience. No personally identifiable data is collected. For our complete Privacy Policy, please visit: http://first8studios.org/privacypolicy.html

Copyright
Early Science with Nico & Nor™ and the characters and related indicia are trademarks of First 8 Studios @WGBH. ™/© 2017 WGBH Educational Foundation. All Rights Reserved. 

This Early Science with Nico & Nor™ app was produced by WGBH Digital in Boston.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DRL-1316550. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NSF.

## Key features

- Shadow theater gameplay
- Explore shadow properties
- 14 levels of exploration
- Research-based science learning
- No in-app purchases
- No advertising


## Frequently asked questions about Nico & Nor Shadow Play

### What is Nico & Nor Shadow Play?

Nico & Nor Shadow Play is an educational app designed to help children explore the science of shadows. It features interactive gameplay where children can put on shadow puppet shows and learn how shadows change.

### What age is Nico & Nor Shadow Play for?

Nico & Nor Shadow Play is designed for children aged 4 and up, aligning with research-based early science learning trajectories for preschool and early elementary education.

### Does Nico & Nor Shadow Play have ads?

No, Nico & Nor Shadow Play is completely ad-free. The app description explicitly states 'No advertising', ensuring an uninterrupted learning experience for children.

### Are there in-app purchases in Nico & Nor Shadow Play?

No, Nico & Nor Shadow Play does not feature any in-app purchases. The app is free to download and use without any additional costs or prompts to buy content.

### What science concepts does Nico & Nor Shadow Play teach?

The app teaches fundamental concepts about shadows, including how they are formed by light and objects, how they change location, size, and shape, and how light source position affects shadow characteristics.

### What devices does Nico & Nor Shadow Play support?

Nico & Nor Shadow Play is currently supported on iPads. The app is optimized for tablet use, providing a larger screen for interactive exploration.

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

The app was last updated on September 19, 2017, to version 1.0.1. While it has not received recent updates, it remains a stable educational tool for its intended purpose.

### What is the user sentiment for Nico & Nor Shadow Play?

Based on the available data, Nico & Nor Shadow Play has a perfect rating of 5.0 stars from 2 ratings, indicating very positive user sentiment among those who have reviewed it.

## Version history (last 2 releases)

### 1.0.1 — 2017-09-19

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Added preview video.

### 1.0 — 2017-01-31

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 2026-07-04.*
