Raspberry Pi for my kid?

[Gryphon Rider]

I'm considering getting my 11-year-old boy a Raspberry Pi 3B starter kit.  We were at a high school open house (my daughter will be going there next year) and he saw they offered a computer game programming class, which he was really interested in.  He asked me how he could start learning programming now, rather than waiting until high school.  It's been a little while since I've done any programming, and that was just in "intro to" classes in basic (high school) and C and C++ (university).  I just saw a local store had a one day sale on the starter kit (board, power supply, SD card, clear box), and am wondering if I should spring for it.

[hubcapsc]

They're really cheap. If he gets interested in computing and
programming at this age, it could mean good things for him...
I'm currently working with a really smart undergrad at Clemson
on a project and I'm sure he'll go far...

-Mike

[Savago]

I wonder if starting with C/C++ is a good choice for kids at this age?

Maybe python or Javascript would be better (the later with the advantage of being available in any web browser). In Chrome just hit CTRL + SHIFT + J and you have a Javascript console. There are quite a few tutorials available for free in the web for both languages. Plus your son could easily share with friends the pages he created.

Even though I like the Pi, it has a few disadvantages that it requires a keyboard + LCD monitor (so it is not really 'mobile' and if you add a decent keyboard plus a good monitor you are past the price of a ChromeBook that is truly mobile).

What is attractive is the price around 60-80 per kit (*if you already have a keyboard/monitor*) and being a Quadcore ARM processor you can actually use it as a 'desktop', assuming that your kid is comfortable with Linux. This video is quite nice in the sense of showing Rpi3 as a desktop:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq0qE9KYtEg

My daughter was using Ubuntu at age of 5, ChromeOS at age of 11 and Window/OSX now at 15. The earlier you expose kids to different operating systems, the easier is for them to adjust and not being addicted to MS Windows.
:-)

[Gryphon Rider]

C/C++ is what I learned, not what I want my son to learn as a first language.  A co-worker suggested python.  I already have an HDMI monitor at home that I use with my laptop, so I don't need to purchase that.  I think I could find a spare USB keyboard just by asking around, or a new one can be had for as little as $15-20.

[Wizzard]

Raspberry stuff is great and so much stuff out there to experiment with. Many many interfaces that you don't have on other stuff. IMHO

[dreamaker]

Check this out on YouTube this guys is easy to follow, I mess around with the Uno, Nano and the Mega, I may be wrong but they are just upgrades from each other with more memory and pins and options for the Arduino platform. This guy also has tutorials on Python, check it out, work at your own pace. There is  parts to the  tutorials. I built some pretty cool stuff with them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8_xXNcGYgo