We don’t get to write about quantum physics much on Apps Playground, even though one half of the founding team has a degree in physics.

Today we do, though, and it’s down to Google. The company’s Quantum A.I. Lab has worked with MinecraftEdu and Caltech’s Institute for Quantum Information and Matter to launch a new ‘modpack’ for popular children’s game Minecraft.

It’s called qCraft, and it’s been created with the ambition of getting kids interested in quantum physics. “It lets players experiment with quantum behaviours inside Minecraft’s world, with new blocks that exhibit quantum entanglement, superposition, and observer dependency,” explains Google.

“Of course, qCraft isn’t a perfect scientific simulation, but it’s a fun way for players to experience a few parts of quantum mechanics outside of thought experiments or dense textbook examples.”

You can find out more on the official qCraft website, including how to download the modpack (note to most parents: if your children are playing Minecraft, you’re probably best off sending them the link so they can handle it themselves!)

“Where will future quantum computer scientists come from? Our best guess: Minecraft,” suggests Google. “Millions of kids are spending a whole lot of hours in Minecraft, not just digging caves and fighting monsters, but building assembly lines, space shuttles, and programmable computers, all in the name of experimentation and discovery. So how do we get these smart, creative kids excited about quantum physics?”