Best Kids Immunity Vitamins to Fight Cold and Flu
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.As you head into the cold and flu season, you want to arm your kids with everything you can to boost their immunity so they stay healthy and happy. These 10 natural supplements are the BEST kids immunity vitamins out there! Formulated by pediatricians, with added vitamins and nutrients that are proven to support the immune system, they will help keep your kids in tip top health!
The dreaded cold and flu season is my least favorite time of the year! For the longest time I suffered through each season, experiencing all the signs and symptoms of the dreaded cold. Then, when my kids came along, they brought home loads of new germs!
There would be weeks at a time when our entire family was hunkered down unable to go to work or school all because of the dreaded cold and flu season, especially during the winter months!
Who wants to suffer when there are things you can do to boost your immunity for yourself and your children? I started to do some research to find the best natural remedies to improve our health and keep the germs at bay!
One simple thing you can do is have your child take a daily multivitamin that supports immune health. Not all vitamins are created equal! You want the best vitamins for kids, not ones that are full of added sugar, and fillers.
This curated selection of immunity boosting vitamins for kids will give them that little extra edge to keep the germs away, and help you and your family stay healthy throughout the year and into the cold and flu season!
Top 10 BEST Kids Immunity Vitamins
Hiya Multivitamins
Hiya vitamins are a chewable multivitamin made with pure natural ingredients, yet still taste great! Developed by two dads, who wanted to give their children a better vitamin, these multivitamins are sugar free and includes a powerful blend of 15 essential vitamins and minerals that are derived from whole foods. They are great for a picky eater, since they also include 12 organic fruits and vegetables and can compliment your child’s diet by filling any nutritional gaps. It’s great for young children and older children – you can use it starting at their 2nd year of age through mid-teens. Hiya also has a great probiotic which helps with boosting immunity – and pairs well with their multivitamin!
Pros
Made with Fruits and Veggies – all the good stuff kiddos need
Natural Organic Ingredients
No Dyes
No Preservatives
Naturally Sweetened with Monk Fruit
Non-GMO
Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free
Contains the methylated form of B vitamins (highly absorbable)
Easy to integrate into your child’s daily routine
Contains close to 100% daily value for most essential vitamins
Cons
Subscription Service
Can’t Buy In Stores, only available on Hiya’s website
More Expensive
Raise Them Well Immunity
This vitamin is specifically made for immunity boosting power! It includes the essential vitamins and minerals that are known to help support a healthy immune system including vitamins C, D3, K2, and zinc. Keep in mind, this isn’t a comprehensive set of kids vitamins – only the vitamins necessary for boosting immune function.
Pros
Designed for children ages 4 and up
Ingredients known to help boost natural defenses against illness
Appropriate for teens
Natural Ingredients
Natural Flavors
No Dyes
Natural Sweetener
No Fillers
Citrus Flavor
Cons
More Expensive
Not a full children multivitamin (only includes the vitamins to support children’s immune systems)
Not available in stores
Best Nest Kids Multivitamin
This liquid multivitamin for kids is made with organic superfoods, live enzymes, prebiotics, cutting-edge methylated vitamins (e.g. folate, Vitamin B12), and minerals to support your child’s immune system. It’s sugar free, but tastes amazing! It’s also free of soy, yeast, fish/shellfish, sugar, sugar alcohols, artificial colors and flavors, nuts, GMOs, gluten, and dairy/lactose. It’s also 3rd party lab tested for purity and free of heavy metals.
Pros
Designed specifically for immune support
Non GMO, soy free, vegan, gluten free
Contains methylated B vitamins (easy to absorb)
Easy for kids to swallow (liquid vitamin)
Tastes great
Sugar free
Cons
Doesn’t include iron
Llama Naturals with Elderberry
A chewable immunity vitamin that’s made from real fruit, with no added sugar or sweeteners. Packed with organic elderberry extract, organic Vitamin C (from Acerola Cherries), plant-based zinc chelate, and organic beta glucan (from reishi mushrooms).
Pros
No Added Sugar, Syrups, or Sweeteners
No Synthetic Vitamins
No Gelatin
No Artificial Ingredients
No Dyes
Free of Common Allergens (Soy, Eggs, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Dairy, Shellfish)
Gluten-Free
Plant-Based and Vegan
Organic Ingredients
Cons
2 Per Day Recommendation
Gummy Vitamins (but no gelatin)
Beta Kids Immune Booster Gummy
Beta Kids is a gummy supplement made specifically for children to help boost their immune system and reduce the overall number of days a child becomes sick and needs to miss school. In essence, it helps kids spend less time being sick, and recover more quickly if they do get sick. The primary ingredient in Beta Kids is beta-glucan. The purity of beta-glucan is important, as it is directly related to the effectiveness of boosting immunity.
Their patented process creates a pure beta-glucan known as Beta-1, 3D Glucan. Due to its purity, it’s 160 times more potent than other beta-glucan supplements. In addition to the beta-glucan, selenium and Vitamin D3 are also included to increase its effectiveness.
Pros
A delicious chewable gummy supplement for kids.
Comes in three different flavors.
Non-GMO, All natural ingredients
Includes kids tracker for healthy habits
Clinically Tested
Cons
Not vegan or vegetarian, as it includes gelatin in the ingredients.
Not organic
While these supplements don’t include white sugar, they do include sweeteners such as xylitol, sorbitol, erythritol, and stevia, which are all sweeteners.
Not a multivitamin, for immune support only. While this beta glucan is made to help boost immunity, you may want to consider providing your child with an additional multivitamin to ensure they are getting other needed nutrients.
Children’s Best Immunity
Pros
Organic
Non-GMO
Made in the USA
Dairy, Gluten, Egg & Wheat Free
Delicious Raspberry Flavor
Vegan
No artificial flavors
Gluten-Free
3 Month Supply (90 count)
Cons
Added tapioca syrup
Added cane sugar
Added sunflower oil
Olly Kids Immunity
A gummy immune support supplement for kids with elderberry, zinc, & vitamin C. This vitamin is more on par with other typical gummy vitamins, and does include added sugar, and is not organic.
Pros
No Dyes
Added betaglucans that help promote immune support
Elderberry for immune support
Acerola Cherry that’s known to high in Vitamin C
ZInc helps keep immune cells functions
Widely available in stores and online
More affordable
Cons
Contains Glucose Syrup
Contains Gelatin
Contains Beet Sugar
Not Vegan
Not Organic
Wellvites Immunity
Wellvites are a vitamin C gummy that come in a soft chewable, and flavorful form. They are free of added sugar, and are naturally vegan.
Pros
Vegan
Sugar Free
Sugar Alcohol Free
High Fiber
Chewable Gummy
No Gelatin
No Eggs
Dairy-Free
Gluten-Free
Non-GMO
Cons
Only contains Vitamin C (no other immune support vitamins)
Serving Size is 2 (60 gummies per bottle)
ChildLife Essentials Liquid Vitamin C Immune Support
A liquid vitamin C formulated for children ages 6 months to teens. Made with natural ingredients.
Pros
Comes in Liquid Form
Gluten-Free
Non-GMO
Natural Orange Flavor
Formulated for Infants, Babies, Kids, Toddlers, Children, and Teens
No Artificial Colors
Alcohol Free
No Artificial Sweeteners
No Dyes
Free of Common Allergens
Cons
Contains fructose
Only Vitamin C (No Other added Immune Support Vitamins)
Mary Ruth’s Immunity
These vitamin C gummies are formulated to help with the absorption of iron, another nutrient essential to immunity. As well as promote heart health. A natural and organic vitamin that is also vegan, and easy to chew!
Pros
Made In GMP Facility
Non-GMO
Vegan Gummy
Gluten-Free
Gelatin Free
Soy Free
125 mg Vitamin C per gummy
Organic
Benefits Overall Health
Promotes Collagen Production
Cons
Only contains Vitamin C (no other vitamins included)
Not specifically formulated for kids (can be used for adults too)
Includes Added Sugar (organic vegan cane sugar)
Appropriate for ages 2 and older (not for infants)
Included Tapioca Syrup
Gaia Kids Black Elderberry Syrup
A great-tasting Black Elderberry syrup formulated specially for kids to provide seasonal or daily immune support. The berries and flowers of elderberry are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that may boost your immune system. They could help tame inflammation, lessen stress, and help protect your heart, too. Some experts recommend elderberry to help prevent and ease cold and flu symptoms.
Pros
Organic
Dairy free
Vegan
Soy Free
Gluten Free
Plant-Based
Formulated for Kids
No Artificial Sweeteners or Corn Syrup
No Dyes
No artificial flavors
Purity Tested
Cons
Only contains Black Elderberry Syrup (no Vitamin C)
What vitamins and minerals support a child’s immune system?
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C may help prevent infections or shorten their stay. Daily intake of vitamin C is essential for good health because your body doesn’t produce it on it’s own.
- Vitamin A: Vitamin A is an infection-fighter. It helps to fight bacterial, parasitic, and viral infections.
- Vitamin B6: Vital to supporting biochemical reactions in the immune system it is responsible for producing white blood cells and T cells, which regulate immune responses. It also helps the body make the protein interleukin-2 to direct white blood cell activity.
- Vitamin D: One of the most important nutrients for supporting the immune system is a fat soluble nutrient that improves the white cells that defend the immune system, and decrease inflammation.
- Zinc: Zinc is needed for the production of new immune system cells. It’s found primarily in animal foods but can be also found in some vegetarian food like.
- Vitamin E: vitamin E can be a powerful antioxidant that helps your body fight off infection. This important vitamin — part of nearly 200 biochemical reactions in your body — is critical in how your immune system functions.
- Iron: Iron, which helps your body carry oxygen to cells, plays a part in many of the immune system processes.
How can I boost my child’s immune system naturally?
The best way to ensure your child’s immune system is ready to fight infection, it to be sure to feed them a healthy balanced diet rich in vitamins and nutrients.
- Lots of Fruits, Vegetables and Nutrients: Make sure to serve your child a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables at every meal. Think of feeding them the rainbow to ensure they are getting a variety of the nutrients they need. Pairing fruits and veggies with whole grains and lean protein will help support a strong immune system as well!
- Plenty of Sleep: Your child needs more sleep than you do! Help improve their sleep habits and ensure they’re getting enough sleep by putting them to bed at the same time each night, and creating a relaxing evening routine to wind down from the busy day.
- Exercise: Get your bodies moving with your kids. Research shows that exercise increases the number of natural killer cells!
- Frequent Hand Washing: This may seem obvious, but it is often taken for granted. Make sure your child washes their hands often and thoroughly. There is no substitute for good hygiene!
Does vitamin C really work to fight the common cold?
When you feel the first signs of the common cold, you may reach for vitamin C in the form of orange juice, citrus fruit, or supplements. But do vitamin C supplements really work to help fight the common cold?
There has been a great deal of research done around vitamin C. However, the studies done have shown inconsistent results. A 2007 study looked at 60 years of clinical research, examining those that took 200 mg of vitamin C a day. The research showed that when taken after a cold already starts, vitamin C has no impact on the length or severity of the cold. However, when taken daily, vitamin C has a marginal effect on the length of the common cold, shortening the duration of 8% of adults, and 14% of children.
This means as an adult you may suffer with the common cold for 11 days out of 12, if you take vitamin C daily, and for children this means you would have the cold for 24 days compared to 28 if you take vitamin C daily.
However, other studies show that there is a more significant impact. Either way, taking vitamin C is not harmful if used in the correct dosage. It is an essential nutrient your body needs for multiple functions, and can have a moderate effect on the length of your cold and flu symptoms.
Does my child also need a multivitamin?
If you choose to give your child a daily dose of vitamin C, or one of the immunity fighting vitamins, you may want to consider giving your child an additional multivitamin to support their cognitive, and physical growth.
Check Out These Other Vitamin Guides!
- Hiya Vitamin Review
- Ritual Vitamins Review
- Sleep Aid For Kids
- Best Multivitamins for Women
- Best Adult Vitamins for Immune Support
I hope I have thoroughly answered all of your questions in this Vitamins review! If you have any further questions, please leave a comment below – I personally respond to every question I get! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious, healthy, family friendly food!
Hi,..my six years old son have always a cough and cold.. which vitamin can you refer to my son to boost his immune system..for now his taking a fern c vitamin..thank you very much
Hi Mira! I would recommend Hiya Vitamins for your 6 year old! Hope that helps!
Hi Anjali,
We’ve wasted so much $$$ on trying different gummy / chewable vitamins. We been slipping in liquid vitamins into her water and she’s been ok with it. Can you recommend a high quality liquid multivitamin and one for immunity support? Thank you!!!!!
Hi Nancy! Best Nest Multi is a high quality, super comprehensive liquid multivitamin that can be used from 1 year of age onwards. It can double as a multivitamin and one for immune support since it includes more than just the “basic” set of vitamins. Before you start this vitamin, make sure your child’s pediatrician is ok with it! Hope that helps!
Hi! My daughter couldn’t take the taste of Hiya vitamins. Are there any softer vitamins and easier on the taste buds? We are vegetarians so no gelatin is a requirement. Thanks
Hi Sejal! If your daughter is 4 or older, I’d recommend Ritual. If she’s under 4, I’d recommend FirstDay. Hope that helps!
Hi Anjali,
With my kids going back to school in person this fall, after a year and a half of doing full distance learning, I’m worried with not just Covid, but all the other germs they can get. We’ll definitely be masking, but also, any immunity type supplement you recommend? I currently give them the Hiya multi vitamin daily, along with vitamin D drops, Nordic Naturals kids fish oil chewie and will be starting them on the Illama Naturals probiotic gummy’s. They are 6 and 9 years-old.
Thanks!
Tina
Hi Tina! I’d use the Llama Naturals Elderberry / Immune Gummy – that way you won’t have to worry about double dosing on any of the vitamins (it’s ok if they get extra Vitamin C, and for kids over 4, neither vitamin has too much zinc!) Hope that helps!