I like your comment about tinkering at a different level.
I'd buy my kids a Pi or an ESP development board in a second (they could use my spares..) but am cautious not to overdo it too soon. Temptation is to go "oh you like a 10 min Scratch/Logo session? Here's a Pi" and that's such a huge jump I think it would put them off, possibly for life.
I just continue to do cool stuff, and to ensure I demonstrate/explain to the kids if they ask what I'm up to.