[tyingq]

A duinomite could have been an easier path. Natively does basic, has vga, and is pretty cheap. https://www.olimex.com/Products/Duino/Duinomite/DUINOMITE-MI...

Edit: Interesting...the Duinomite folks even noted the "Why Johnny Can't Code" post: https://www.olimex.com/Products/Duino/Duinomite/_resources/E...

[UncleSlacky]

There's also standalone BBC Basic for the Raspberry Pi: https://www.riscosopen.org/content/sales/risc-os-pico

[lioeters]

I hadn't seen DuinoMite, that looks great for the "child hacker". Funny coincidence that they mention the same article!

I've also been enamoured by PICO-8, a programmable virtual game console - its retro aesthetics and ALL CAPS syntax remind me of BASIC. https://www.lexaloffle.com/pico-8.php