I'd recommend Microsoft Small Basic http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-ca/beginner/ff384126.aspx http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-ca/beginner/ff384126.aspx It has a GUI

I'd recommend Microsoft Small Basic http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-ca/beginner/ff384126.aspx http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-ca/beginner/ff384126.aspx It has a GUI which children will expect, runs out of the box on Windows which most kids will have, and allows them to easily interact with the GUI. The other really nice thing is that as they progress they can use the full .NET runtime library so there is a lot of room to grow with out having to switch languages. The only real downside is having a kid grow up like this: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xdwn4e_java-4ever-microsoft-net-vs-java_shortfilms http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xdwn4e_java-4ever-microsoft... [.NET vs. Java trailer] youtube took it down :(