I agree that video game modding (Java for Minecraft or Lua for Roblox) is also a great introduction/motivator for learning programming. The key thing is even though these languages may also be as complex as JS, using them for modding usually have a "happy path" to getting started with many complexities abstracted away or completely disabled for obvious security reasons.

Alternatively if they do not play those games, then maybe a visual programming language like Scratch would be suitable.