PBS Kids Play & Learn Science – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

PBS Kids Play & Learn Science

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2016

92%

WISE Score

4.4

Google Play

Actual science for the juice-box crowd without the hidden ads or 'buy more gems' nonsense.

PBS Kids Play & Learn Science

app

Everyone, 2016

92%

WISE Score

4.4

Google Play

Actual science for the juice-box crowd without the hidden ads or 'buy more gems' nonsense.

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Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

PBS Kids Play & Learn Science is a rare breed in 2026: an app that actually respects your child's brain. While most 'educational' apps are just flashy slot machines for toddlers, this one focuses on inquiry-based learning.

It’s not going to keep a 10-year-old occupied, and it’s definitely not 'exciting' in the way a loud YouTube video is, but that’s exactly the point. It’s a safe, quiet, and genuinely smart corner of the internet. If you want an app that encourages your kid to put the phone down and go look at shadows on a real wall, this is it.

Age Fit

Perfect for the 3-to-6-year-old window. It’s built for preschoolers and kindergarteners who are just starting to ask 'why' about everything in the natural world.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It’s PBS. The tone is gentle, the pacing is intentional, and it avoids the frantic 'bright lights and loud noises' trap that many toddler apps fall into. It models curiosity and persistence without any of the snark or attitude found in mainstream kids' entertainment.

Imaginative

While it's a structured learning tool, it focuses on 'what happens if I do this?' experiments. It encourages kids to think like scientists—predicting outcomes in water flow or shadow play—rather than just following a linear path.

Safe

100

This is the gold standard for app safety. No ads, no in-app purchases, no third-party tracking, and no social features. It’s a closed sandbox where a four-year-old can’t accidentally spend $100 on 'science gems.'

Enriching

Few apps have actual peer-reviewed research proving they work, but this one does. It covers earth, physical, and life sciences with a bilingual (English/Spanish) curriculum that’s actually developmentally appropriate for preschoolers.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

It’s one of the few apps backed by actual educational research (EDC/ERIC) showing it helps kids learn science concepts.
Completely bilingual—you can toggle between English and Spanish seamlessly, which is a huge win for immersion or native speakers.
The 'Parent Tips' are actually useful, giving you real-world activities to do with your kid after they put the tablet down.
Zero monetization. No 'pro' version, no ads, no nagging.

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What to Watch For

It’s strictly for the younger set; anyone over 7 will find the pace way too slow and the 'Daniel Tiger' vibes a bit 'babyish.'
It works best if you're nearby to talk through the 'why' of the experiments; it's an educational tool, not a digital babysitter.

Conversation Starters

"Why did the shadow get bigger when we moved the object closer to the light?"
"What happened to the water when we changed the direction of the pipes?"
"Which of these animals would live in a cold place like the one in the game?"
"Can we find something in our kitchen that works like the ramp in the app?"

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