Children letting off fireworks isn’t, generally, a good thing. Unless they’re virtual fireworks, of course, in which case fire away! Which is exactly what they can do in Fireworks Lab.

The app was released by developer Cowly Owl for iPhone and iPad earlier this month, just in time for 4th July in the US, where whiz-bang sky-explosions are a part of Independence Day celebrations.

The app gets children to choose the shape of their fireworks, then feed them a virtual treat to tweak their colour, before seeing what they produce.

Kids can choose from four types of firework: a rocket, a fountain, a mortar and a roman candle, arranging them into a display to show off to friends and parents on their device.

It’s good fun, and while Independence Day is receding into the past, we suspect a fair few parents here in Britain will want to pick the app up ahead of our own 5th November celebrations. That said, the app should remain fun all year round.

Fireworks Lab costs £1.49 for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store.