> Javascript and webdev is also a decent option since you can build such interesting and shareable web apps quickly, but the frameworks and scaffolding can be intimidating and painful.

JavaScript can be a great choice for some people as long as you don't try to build a production-level web app from the get go. Start them with a bare HTML file loaded up in the browser and only scale up from there when they start actually having the problems that the scaffolding is designed to solve.