# Simple Machines by Tinybop — Play & learn physics for kids.

> Interactive physics sandbox for kids to learn about simple machines. (iPhone/iPad app by Tinybop Inc..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-machines-by-tinybop/id936966570 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Tinybop Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/682046582)
- Category: Education, Reference
- Price: $2.99
- Rating: 3.70/5 from 62 App Store ratings · 131 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 112 MB
- Languages: American English, Afrikaans, Albanian, Arabic, Basque, Bangla, Bulgarian, Khmer, Catalan, Croatian and 48 more
- Released: 2015-05-19
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-machines-by-tinybop/id936966570/reviews.md

## What is Simple Machines by Tinybop?

Explore the playful side of physics! 
“I just love how apps like these get kids genuinely excited about science." — COOL MOM TECH   
 
Experiment with levers, pulleys, inclined planes,  inclined planes, wedges, wheel and axles, and screws. Discover how they work and investigate the invisible forces behind them in this sandbox app. Destroy a castle, make music, send satellites into orbit & more! 

*** App Store Editor's Choice ***
*** Parents’ Choice Gold Award winner ***

Simple Machines integrates with STEM curriculum: kids can alter and test each machine to learn about force and motion, actions and reactions, inputs and outputs, conservation of energy, mechanical advantages, and tradeoffs. Get free activity sheets at tinybop.com.

Simple Machines is No. 4 in Tinybop’s Explorer’s Library series, designed for curious kids ages 4+ to dive deep into big ideas. The apps in this series have won Best of the App Store, App Store Editors’ Choice, Parents’ Choice, and Children's Technology Review Editor’s Choice awards.

Features: 
 * Explore 6 simple machines: levers, pulleys, inclined planes, wedges, wheel and axles, and screws.
 * Experiment with real world physics, actions and reactions, inputs and outputs. Learn about force and motion.
 * Investigate the physics at work behind each machine.
 * Sophisticated sound design rewards experimentation.
 * Original artwork by James Gilleard.
 * Smart features use your device’s camera to bring your kids’ world into the app.
 * Learn new vocabulary in 40+ languages with interactive labels.
 * Intuitive, safe, and kid-friendly design.
 * Entertaining for kids and adults alike.

FREE handbook
Our expert-reviewed handbook is full of facts, interaction hints, and discussion questions to support learning in this app, in the classroom or at home. Download in your app or at: http://tinybop.com/handbooks. 

Privacy Policy 
We take your and your child’s privacy very seriously. We do not collect or share personal information about your child, nor do we allow any third-party advertising. 

When the camera, microphone, and other services are used within an app, your information is neither collected nor distributed outside of the app.

Read our complete privacy policy at tinybop.com. 

Tinybop, Inc. is a Brooklyn-based studio of designers, engineers, and artists. We make toys for tomorrow. We’re all over the internet.
Visit us: www.tinybop.com
Follow us: twitter.com/tinybop
Like us: facebook.com/tinybop
Peek behind the scenes: instagram.com/tinybop

We love hearing your stories! If you have ideas, or something isn’t working as you expect it to, please contact us: hi@tinybop.com.

Compatible with iPhone 5, 5s, 5c, 6, 6 Plus, iPod touch (5th generation), iPad 2, 3, mini, and Air. **This app is optimized for iPad 2 and iPhone 5 or higher. Requires iOS 7.0 or later. 

psst! It's not Tiny Bop, or Tiny Bob, or Tiny Pop. It's Tinybop.

## Key features

- Explore 6 simple machines
- Experiment with real-world physics
- Investigate physics at work
- Learn about force and motion
- Kid-friendly design
- Interactive labels in 40+ languages

## What do users think of Simple Machines by Tinybop?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🎨 Beautiful graphics and design
- 🧠 Educational and informative
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Good for kids and learning
- 💡 Sparks curiosity and imagination
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 🚀 Engaging and fun experience
- ✨ Well-made and high-quality

**Cons**

- 😴 Boring and repetitive
- 💸 Expensive for limited content
- 🤷‍♂️ Lacks clear goals or objectives
- 🤏 Limited interaction and content
- 🚫 Not a game, more of a toy
- 📉 Poor value for money
- 🤔 Confusing or unclear purpose

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Crashes immediately on launch
- Cannot install after purchase
- App crashes after loading screen
- No sound
- Does not work
- Download issues
- Does not open
- Chinese language not displayed

**Most requested features**

- Add a creative building mode
- More levels and modules
- Sandbox mode
- Ability to build own machines
- More interactive elements
- Add more complex mechanisms
- Improve wheel and axle interaction
- Allow bringing up planets in pulley game

## Recent user reviews (10 of 131)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-machines-by-tinybop/id936966570/reviews.md

### 3/5 — 不显示中文

*2025-04-19*

小孩玩了很久，但游戏显示过程中不显示中文，需要修复bug

### 1/5 — 没法玩

*2024-11-03*

毫无兴趣不要下，如果有试玩就好了，收费关键还没意思

### 5/5 — 非常喜欢😘，机器运转的很好👍，评分满分💯！

*2024-04-05*

很喜欢💕！

### 1/5 — 购买了以后无法安装，退钱

*2022-07-14*

购买以后不能安装

### 5/5 — This is good for kids!!

*2021-10-10, version 1.1.0*

This is good for kid every tiny pop games are amzing and perfect game for kids they want to be or  in the future 👍🏻

### 5/5 — Truly Brilliant

*2020-06-26, version 1.0.8*

I have to assume that the negative reviewers of this brilliant educational game haven’t spent much time exploring what it can do rather than what it can’t. For a young child this kind of experimentation and discovery is what learning is all about. Levers, pulleys, force, momentum, mass ... it’s all here and more but with no reading to distract it’s all about doing. Your kids can adjust, move, apply, redesign, retry in beautifully designed and fun  worlds. I bought Robot Factory for my granddaughter. She loved it. I’m sure she will be equally captivated by this ... and maybe learn something as she puzzles why a bike with square wheels doesn’t move.

### 2/5 — Crashes                                                         Arielle the coolest

*2020-06-23, version 1.0.8*

OK this app keeps crashing

### 1/5 — Crashes immediately

*2020-06-23, version 1.0.8*

Newest iPad on the newest software. Can’t get past the create your icon screen.

### 1/5 — Machines Crashing

*2020-06-13, version 1.0.8*

Same thing happening as Jamie3D. App continues to crash after multiple uninstall and install attempts. Sad my son loved it when it worked.

### 3/5 — It works, but it doesn’t teach anything

*2020-04-28, version 1.0.8*

I thought it might be a nice way for students to review simple machines, but I can’t ask them all to pay $2.99.

## Frequently asked questions about Simple Machines by Tinybop

### What is Simple Machines by Tinybop?

Simple Machines by Tinybop is an educational app that allows children to explore and experiment with six different simple machines: levers, pulleys, inclined planes, wedges, wheels and axles, and screws. It's designed to make learning about physics fun and interactive.

### What are the key features of this app?

The app features an exploration of six simple machines, opportunities to experiment with real-world physics concepts like actions and reactions, and investigations into the physics behind each machine. It also boasts sophisticated sound design, original artwork, and interactive labels in over 40 languages.

### How much does Simple Machines by Tinybop cost?

Based on the provided information, this app is a paid application. There are no mentions of in-app purchases or advertisements, indicating a one-time purchase model.

### What devices is Simple Machines by Tinybop compatible with?

The app is compatible with iPhone 5 and later, iPod touch (5th generation), and iPad 2 and later. It requires iOS 7.0 or later and is optimized for iPad 2 and iPhone 5 or higher.

### How does this app help children learn?

The app integrates with STEM curriculum by allowing kids to alter and test machines, learning about force and motion, actions and reactions, and mechanical advantages. It provides a sandbox environment for hands-on experimentation and includes a free handbook with facts and discussion questions.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.4.0 — 2025-04-07

A full refresh for the latest iOS. We've added and improved animations throughout.

### 1.3.0 — 2022-12-05

Updated for iOS 16.

### 1.2.5 — 2021-11-20

Updated for the new iPads and iOS15!

### 1.2.4 — 2021-10-20

Updated for the new iPads and iOS15!

### 1.1.0 — 2021-02-15

A completely revamped home screen and dashboard!

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## More apps by Tinybop Inc.

- [The Human Body by Tinybop](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-human-body-by-tinybop/id682046579)
- [Plants by Tinybop](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plants-by-tinybop/id872615882)
- [Homes by Tinybop](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/homes-by-tinybop/id922609543)
- [The Robot Factory by Tinybop](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-robot-factory-by-tinybop/id936966605)
- [The Human Body Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-human-body-lite/id957148293)

All apps by Tinybop Inc.: https://appshunter.io/developer/682046582

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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 2026-08-26.*