Final answer:
The lever is the simple machine that can help the child reach the apple.
Step-by-step explanation:
The simple machine that can help the inventive child reach the apple is the lever.
A lever is a rigid bar that rotates around a fixed point called the fulcrum. By applying a force on one end of the lever, the child can move the other end and reach the apple.
For example, if the child places an object to act as a fulcrum and uses a long stick as a lever, they can push down on one end of the stick to lift the other end and reach the apple.