Adding to the suggestions here, there's another benefit to playing with hardware.
If they start plugging in basic effects pedals, they'll learn about signal flow and signal chains that are relevant to all styles.
There's no fundamental difference between a microphone, a guitar or a drum machine plugging in to a delay pedal.
Learning the basics of EQ (bass, mid, low) gets them on the path to studio mastering if they're interested in that side later.
If they decide they don't like the creative side, they have the basics to learn live sound tech or sound engineering.
If they start plugging in basic effects pedals, they'll learn about signal flow and signal chains that are relevant to all styles.
There's no fundamental difference between a microphone, a guitar or a drum machine plugging in to a delay pedal. Learning the basics of EQ (bass, mid, low) gets them on the path to studio mastering if they're interested in that side later. If they decide they don't like the creative side, they have the basics to learn live sound tech or sound engineering.
Good luck and have fun :)