If you want to go all one brand:
YoYoFactory offers the Loop 808 and ONE for decent prices. But, I’ve found the ONE can get pretty unresponsive even with the slim bearing. Another option might be to swap out the ONE for the YYJ Classic as it has better weight and even with a clean slim bearing, it still stays tug responsive.
I am pleasantly pleased with the performance of the Loop808 but it is a bit light. I bought a pair at Nationals for $10 each($20 total). I bought a pair for my kid as well. I do like the Unleashed more though. But, the Loop808 is “assemble, tighten down, done”, so no “adjustable gap”, which for you makes it more ideal.
Now we gotta think transport. YYF boxes are bulkier due to the vertical aspect. YYJ boxes are better for cramming more in less space. Of course, no boxes can be arranged!
Other good items might be the Duncan ProZ, but it has “lots of parts”. But with one standardized yoyo, you can go from looping to string tricks, and replace the stickers in the mod spacers with Duncan silicone stickers and you’re set. These can be had for under $10. I have 5. 2 set as loopers, 2 as responsive string tricks, and one I popped a CenterTrac in and it plays really nice and is very unresponsive. Heck, if it was a bit heavier, it would be ideal for 5A too.
Another low cost option is the Duncan Butteryfly XT. I warn you, DO NOT clean that grease packed bearing or it will go dead unresponsive. It lacks the weight to be anything but a beginner throw. I packed some o-rings in there to bring it over 62 grams, and believe it or not it’s fairly smooth, but still too light. Stock, it’s fine. YYE is selling these for a fair price at I think under $7.
I was teaching a kid at Nationals. I let him use an Unleashed because those were the only responsive throws I had on me. For starters, it works great. Once you get past the sleeper, gravity pull, walk the dog, rock the baby and some picture tricks, unless you want to stick with looping, you gotta move to a string trick yoyo.
I also know a source of good, low-cost bearings designed for yoyos. They are C-sized. If you go with Classics, this would be the bearing to stock up on because you can get 5 for under $20.
You never know, some of these kids might take to this fast.
Any thoughts towards juggling? You can get sets for under $8 for doing 3 ball cascades. Diabolo might be too cost prohibitive as they just plain cost more. Spin tops are load of fun too but I’m not sure if they are good for “circus trick” work, but they are a serious skill toy. You can always bring stuff for showing and minimal teaching to reduce costs. An ideal one would be diabolo, maybe have just one kid learning that since it’s not economically feasible(or space-wise feasible) to carry a load of those around. You may also want to carry some 4A throws just for the option.
I would also present a business plan and submit it to companies. You may be able to get a sponsorship, endorsement or special direct pricing on product. I do strongly recommend standardizing as much as possible, thinking maintenance and minimizing parts. Tons of strings are a must. I’m also sure you’re planning to leave gear as you go, correct?
Be warned, I’ve heard import duties to India can be abusive. I was on a tour and we were going to go do India, and when they tried to slap those fees on us(60% of the cost of the gear, which at over $10Million in hardware since we were carrying everything), we simply said “**** it” and cancelled those dates on the spot and took the next flight home for 2 weeks of rest.
