a very different take on programmable rts is https://colobot.info/ https://colobot.info/ (perhaps https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colobot https://en.wikipedia.org

a very different take on programmable rts is https://colobot.info/ https://colobot.info/ (perhaps https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colobot https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colobot is a better introduction) this is a very old game that has seen an open source release (including free assets) somewhat recently. the original game is fully playable on modern platforms; lately some multiplayer features were added that look quite a bit of fun. this is an early-noughties 3d rts, with the twist that all units (including the enemy, though this is obscured during normal gameplay) run user-editable code that can be changed in-game. the rts campaign is supplemented by exercises designed to introduce complete beginners to programming (e.g. write a maze solver or a waypoint-driver flight controller). the genius is, in my opinion, in that the affordances and fidelity of the simulation is such that controlling e.g. a flying flighter is fun and accessible. do give it a go -- perhaps with your kids.