Best Multivitamins For Kids (2026 Guide)
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.Looking for the best multivitamin for your child? After testing over 50 brands as a health coach and nutritionist, I narrowed it down to the top 10 and my best overall pick. Here’s everything I learned about choosing safe, effective vitamins for kids, including what to look for, what to avoid, which vitamins I use for my own kids, and how to know if your child needs vitamins as part of their daily routine.
My Journey Finding the Right Vitamins For My Kids
When my daughter turned 5, she went through a picky phase where she started really limiting the fruits & veggies she wanted to eat, and I started worrying she wasn’t getting enough nutrients.
I asked her pediatrician about multivitamins, and she told me something that surprised me: most healthy kids don’t actually need them. Kids eating a reasonably balanced diet get all the vitamins and minerals they need from food, even picky eaters.
But she also said a multivitamin acts like insurance. It fills nutritional gaps on days when your child refuses anything green. For extremely picky eaters, kids on restrictive diets (vegan, vegetarian, or due to allergies), or kids with certain medical conditions, a multivitamin can be genuinely important.
Because we are fully plant-based, and to supplement my kids’ pickiest phases, I decided to give both kids a daily multivitamin once they turned 5. But I spent months researching to find vitamins that were actually clean and effective rather than glorified candy.
What I discovered shocked me. Many popular kids vitamins have as much sugar as candy, contain artificial dyes, use cheap synthetic vitamins that kids can’t absorb well, and aren’t third-party tested for heavy metals or contaminants. I realized I couldn’t just grab any vitamin off the shelf.
Which is why I got to work – I tested over 50 different brands with both of my kids and tried them myself. I also looked at ingredient quality, third-party testing, how much sugar they contained, whether my kids would actually take them, and if they provided comprehensive nutrition. This guide shares everything I learned.
Table of Contents
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Kids Multivitamins: My Top Picks
Before I dive into my detailed list of the best children’s vitamins, here are my quick picks!
- Best Overall: Hiya Vitamins
- Best Gummy: Smarty Pants
- Best Infant: Wellements Organic Multivitamin Drops
- Best For Toddlers / Best Liquid: Mary Ruth’s Toddler Drops, Mary Ruth’s Kids Drops
- Best With Iron: Raise Them Well
- Best Without Iron: Hiya Vitamins
- Best For Picky Eaters: Renzo’s Picky Eater Multi
- Best Vegan: Llama Naturals
- Best Organic: First Day
- Best Budget Friendly: Olly (Best Mid-Range Price: Zarbee’s)
Disclaimer
As a board-certified health coach and certified nutritionist, I only recommend supplements rooted in science and evidence. The FDA doesn’t review dietary supplements before they go to market, so I prioritize products that are third-party tested by USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab.com. This post has also been medically reviewed and fact checked by Linzy Ziegelbaum, MS, RD, CDN (see my about page for more info about Linzy).
Important: Large doses of vitamins can be harmful to children. Always speak with your pediatrician before adding any supplement to your child’s diet. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Though I may receive a commission through affiliate links, I only recommend products I’ve researched thoroughly, consulted experts on, and feel comfortable giving to my kids.
Do Kids Actually Need Multivitamins?
Here’s the honest answer: probably not, but maybe yes.
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that healthy children eating a normal, well-balanced diet generally don’t need vitamin supplementation. Kids can get all necessary nutrients from whole foods.
But here’s where it gets nuanced. Your child might benefit from a multivitamin if they:
- Are extremely picky eaters who refuse entire food groups
- Follow a vegetarian or vegan diet
- Have food allergies that limit their diet
- Have been diagnosed with a medical condition affecting nutrient absorption
- Are not growing well according to growth charts
- Have been diagnosed with a vitamin deficiency by their doctor
Even if your child doesn’t fit these categories, a multivitamin can act as nutritional insurance for those days when they refuse everything except goldfish crackers and apple slices.
I give vitamins to both my kids not because they desperately need them, but because it gives me peace of mind knowing they’re covered on days when they barely eat any vegetables. My kids’ pediatrician approved this approach.
How I Tested Kids Vitamins: My Process
I tested over 50 vitamin brands with both of my kids over several months. Here’s how I evaluated each one:
Testing Protocol:
- Research phase: I reviewed ingredient lists, checked for third-party testing certifications, and compared nutritional profiles
- Taste testing: Both kids tried each vitamin and rated whether they’d actually take it daily
- Observation period: I gave each vitamin for 2 weeks and watched for any digestive issues or reactions
- Expert consultation: I discussed my findings with Linzy Ziegelbaum (MS, RD, CDN) to verify my assessments
My Non-Negotiables:
- Third-party tested (USP, NSF, ConsumerLab, or Clean Label Project)
- No artificial colors or flavors
- 4 grams of added sugar or less
- Comprehensive nutrition (at least 10+ essential vitamins and minerals)
Deal-Breakers:
- Synthetic dyes (Red #40, Yellow #6, Blue #2)
- High sugar content (5+ grams)
- No third-party testing
- Kids refused to eat it
The vitamins recommended in this guide passed all my tests and are ones I actually give to my own children or would feel comfortable recommending to friends.
Top Kids Multivitamins Compared
Here’s my ranking of how the leading brands stack up across the most important factors:
| Brand | # of Nutrients | Sugar per Serving | Form Factor | 3rd Party Tested | Organic? | Price / Serving | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiya | 15+ | 0g | Chewable tablet | ✓ (Clean Label) | ✗ Contains organic ingredients | $1.00 | 2 yrs+ |
| Smarty Pants Kids | 14 | 4g | Gummy | ✓ (Clean Label) | ✓ | $0.99 | 4 yrs+ |
| Zarbee’s | 13 | 2g | Gummy | ✗ | ✗ | $0.49 | 2 yrs+ |
| Welle-ments | 10 | 0g | Liquid | ✓ | ✓ | $0.49 | 2 months+ |
| Mary Ruth’s | 12 | 0g | Gummy or Liquid Option | ✓ (Clean Label) | ✓ | $1.00 | 1 yrs+ (different products by age) |
| Raise Them Well | 20 | 0g | Chewable tablet | ✓ | ✗ | $0.73 | 4 yrs+ |
| Renzo’s Picky Eater | 18 | 0g | Melty tab | ✗ | ✗ | $0.83 | 2 yrs+ |
| First Day | 9 | 2g | Gummy | ✓ (Clean Label) | ✓ | $1.30 | 4 yrs+ |
| Llama Naturals | 13 | 4g | Gummy | ✓ | ✓ | $0.90 | 2 yrs+ |
| Olly | 12 | 3g | Gummy | ✓ | ✗ | $0.40 | 2 yrs+ |
My Key Findings:
- Most comprehensive: Raise Them Well (20 nutrients) and Renzo’s (18 nutrients)
- Zero sugar: Hiya, Mary Ruth’s, Renzo’s
- Most affordable: L’il Critters ($0.13/serving)
- Best for young kids (2+): Hiya (chewable tablet, safe for toddlers)
- Only tablets (not gummies): Hiya, Naturelo, Renzo’s (all others are gummies)
Best Overall Multivitamins For Kids
These three brands are my top picks for most families. They balance quality, nutrition, safety, and kid approval.
Hiya Vitamins – Best Overall
My #1 pick for most kids
I give Hiya to both Layla and Ayan, and it’s the only vitamin they actually ask for every morning. After testing dozens of brands, Hiya won on nearly every criteria that mattered to me.
Why I love it: Hiya has 15 essential vitamins and minerals (including calcium, which most gummies can’t include), zero added sugar, no artificial anything, and is third-party tested with Clean Label Project certification. It’s one of the only chewable tablets available, which means it’s safe for kids as young as 2 and doesn’t pose the choking hazard that gummies do.
The tablets dissolve easily in the mouth, so even my picky eaters don’t complain. Hiya uses mannitol as a sweetener, which some parents avoid, but I found it acceptable since the tablets aren’t sticky like gummies and don’t contribute to cavities.
The subscription model sends a glass bottle the first month with refill pouches arriving monthly after that. This reduced packaging waste appealed to me, and the kids loved decorating their bottles with the included stickers.
What Layla and Ayan thought: Both kids said Hiya tasted “like fruity candy but not too sweet.” Layla (age 9 now) has been taking it for 4 years without complaint. For more details about Hiya, check out my Hiya vitamins review.
Cost: $30 for 30 tablets ($1/day), with discounts for multiple children
Ages: 2+
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 15 vitamins and minerals including calcium | Not organic |
| Zero added sugar | Contains mannitol |
| Third-party tested (Clean Label Project certified) | Slightly more expensive than some options |
| Chewable tablet (safe for ages 2+, not a choking hazard) | |
| Vegan and allergen-friendly | |
| Non-GMO | |
| Sustainable packaging | |
| Only 1 tablet per day |
SmartyPants Kids Multi + Probiotics – Best Gummy Option
Best if your child prefers gummies
If your child is over 4 and you’re set on gummies, SmartyPants is the best option I found. It’s one of the few gummy multivitamins that’s actually organic and includes probiotics.
SmartyPants contains 14 essential nutrients plus omega-3s from flaxseed oil and 2 strains of probiotics for gut health. (Note: They also have this version made with fish oil for Omega 3s which does not include probiotics – so choose the one that fits best for your family!)
It’s USDA organic, third-party tested, and contains no artificial colors or flavors.
When I tested these with my kids years ago (before switching to Hiya), they loved the taste. The gummies have a sugary coating that kids enjoy, but that also means they contain 4 grams of added sugar per serving.
Cost: $28.45 for 120 gummies (30-day supply at 4 gummies/day = $0.95/serving)
Ages: 4+
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| USDA Organic | Gummies (choking hazard for under 4, contribute to cavities) |
| Includes probiotics and omega-3s | 4g added sugar per serving |
| No gelatin (vegetarian friendly) | 4 gummies per serving |
| Third-party tested | Doesn’t include calcium or iron |
| Kid-approved taste | Slightly more expensive than some options |
| No artificial colors or flavors |
Zarbee’s Kids Complete Multivitamin + Probiotic – Best Mid-Range
Best affordable option that’s still quality
If budget is a concern, Zarbee’s offers solid nutrition at a price most families can afford, and it’s easy to find at Target, Walmart, and most drugstores.
Zarbee’s contains 13 essential vitamins plus probiotics, and is sweetened with cane sugar, honey, and fruit juice rather than artificial sweeteners. Both my kids tolerated the natural fruit flavors well when I tested them.
They’re not organic, which is why they rank below Hiya and SmartyPants on my list, but they avoid artificial dyes and flavors.
Cost: $16.99 for 70 gummies ($0.49/serving)
Ages: 2+
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable & easy to find at most stores | Not organic |
| Includes probiotics | Not vegan (contains honey) |
| No artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners | 2g sugar per serving |
Also Good: Wellvites Kids Multivitamin Gummies. Wellvites is very comparable to Zarbee’s but is slightly more expensive ($0.63/serving). It’s non-GMO, sugar-free, vegan (which Zarbee’s isn’t), gluten-free, and contains 12 essential vitamins. While it’s not organic or third-party tested, it avoids artificial sweeteners and gelatin.
Best Multivitamins By Age
Different age groups have different nutritional needs. Here are my top picks for each stage.
Wellements Baby Multivitamin Drops – Best for Infants (0-12 Months)
This is my top pick for an infant vitamin because it’s USDA organic, contains all essential vitamins for infants, and can be used starting at 2 months. It’s third-party tested for purity and free of the top 9 allergens.
My kids were combination fed (both formula and breastmilk) so I didn’t end up needing a vitamin for them before the age of 1. But when parents ask me for an infant vitamin recommendation, I always turn to Wellements. I also love that they’re made without artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners, and have a mild cherry flavor that babies tolerate well.
Note: Before giving any supplement to your infant, discuss it with your pediatrician.
Cost: $14.99 for 1 oz (about 30 servings)
Ages: 2+ months
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| USDA organic | Cherry flavor makes it hard to hide in food |
| Third-party tested | |
| Vegan and gluten-free | |
| No sweeteners or artificial anything | |
| Affordable |
Mary Ruth’s Toddler Multivitamin Drops – Best for Toddlers (1-3 Years)
Toddlers need different nutrition than older kids, and most vitamins are formulated for ages 4+. I chose Mary Ruth’s Organic Toddler drops because they are specifically designed for ages 1-3, and have super clean ingredients.
These liquid drops are USDA organic, completely sugar-free, and packed with essential vitamins including A, C, D3, E, B-complex, zinc, and choline. The orange-vanilla flavor is mild and easy for toddlers to take.
Note: Mary Ruth’s also makes a version WITH iron if your toddler’s pediatrician recommends iron supplementation, and they make a liquid version for kids age 4+ if you want to continue with a liquid vitamin after your child turns 4.
Cost: $24.95 for 30 servings
Ages: 1-3 years
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| USDA organic, non-GMO | Can only use until age 3 (need to switch vitamins after) |
| Zero added sugar | Contains stevia |
| Vegan and allergen-friendly | |
| Easy-to-administer liquid drops | |
| Orange-vanilla flavor most toddlers tolerate | |
| No artificial colors or flavors |
Alternative: SmartyPants Toddler Multi + Probiotics
If your toddler is 2-3 and prefers gummies, SmartyPants makes a toddler-specific formula with probiotics and omega-3s. It’s organic, third-party tested, and Clean Label Project certified. My kids liked it when they tried it, and I appreciate that it only has 2 grams of sugar per serving. Cost: $24.95 for 30 servings.
Best Multivitamins By Dietary Needs
Raise Them Well Children’s Chewable Multi – Best Multivitamin With Iron
If your child needs supplemental iron (common for plant-based kids or those diagnosed with low iron), Raise Them Well is my top pick.
This chewable tablet contains methylated B vitamins (more bioavailable than standard B vitamins), is vegetarian-friendly, gluten-free, non-GMO, and third-party tested. It uses a gentle form of iron that’s easier on little stomachs and doesn’t cause constipation, my kids had no digestive issues when trying this vitamin!
Cost: $21.99 ($20.89 with subscription) for 30 servings
Ages: 4+
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Contains iron | Not organic |
| Methylated B vitamins (better absorption) | |
| Third-party tested | |
| Vegan and allergen-friendly | |
| Chewable tablet (not gummy) |
Note: If your child doesn’t need iron supplementation, Hiya (my #1 overall pick) is an excellent iron-free option with 15 vitamins and minerals, zero added sugar, and third-party testing
Renzo’s Picky Eater Multivitamin – Best For Picky Eaters
Renzo’s was specifically created by a doctor for his picky-eating son before surgery. The melty tabs dissolve on the tongue with minimal effort, which makes them perfect for kids who resist taking vitamins.
My kids liked the melty tab format, because it just sort of dissolved on their tongue and required minimal effort to “eat.”
This multivitamin contains 18 essential vitamins including iron, has zero added sugar, and is vegan.
Cost: $24.99 for 30 servings
Ages: 2+
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 18 essential vitamins (comprehensive) | Contains mannitol and xylitol (sugar alcohols) |
| Zero added sugar | Not organic |
| Melty tabs (dissolve easily, great for picky eaters) | |
| Vegan and allergen-friendly | |
| Non-GMO | |
| Includes iron |
Llama Naturals Plant-Based Multivitamin – Best Vegan Gummy
For plant-based families who are looking for a gummy, Llama Naturals is my top recommendation.
These organic gummies are made with real fruit and vegetables, contain no gelatin, and include plant-based vitamin D3 (which is hard to find).
My kids thought they tasted good – they were a little on the chewy side but both kids still liked them. The gummies contain 13 essential vitamins including vegan B12, which is critical for kids on plant-based diets.
Note: If your child doesn’t need a gummy, Hiya (my #1 overall pick) is also a great vegan option.
Cost: $26.95 for 30 servings
Ages: 2+
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Organic and plant-based | Must eat 3 gummies per serving |
| Made from whole food fruit and vegetables | 4 grams sugar (from fruit) |
| Third-party tested | |
| Allergen-friendly |
Also Good: Mary Ruth’s Organics Kids Multivitamin Gummies
For a zero-sugar vegan option, Mary Ruth’s gummies contain 12 essential nutrients, are USDA organic, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-friendly. However, they use erythritol as a sweetener, which some research suggests may increase certain health risks.
Cost: $23.95 for 60 gummies
First Day Kids Vitamins – Best Organic Multivitamin
First Day is made with real organic fruits and vegetables and contains 9 key micronutrients. I typically recommend First Day to families with kids who eat reasonably well and just need a vitamin to “bridge the gap.” For extremely picky eaters, First Day may not be comprehensive enough.
My kids liked the taste of First Day when we tested it out, they said it was a little waxy but overall had no complaints! Read my complete review of First Day vitamins for more details!
Cost: $39/bottle ($30.60 with subscription, 15% off)
Ages: 4+
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| USDA organic and non-GMO | Expensive |
| Made with real fruits and vegetables | 2 grams sugar per serving |
| Nothing artificial | Only 9 nutrients (less comprehensive) |
| Vegan, gluten-free | |
| Clean label project certified |
Olly Kids Multivitamin + Probiotic – Best Budget Multivitamin
If you’re shopping at Target or Walmart and need an affordable option, Olly Kids Multi is widely available and reasonably priced. These gummies contain 12 essential vitamins plus a probiotic.
They contain 1g of added sugar, no artificial ingredients, and are third party tested. However they aren’t completely allergen-free as they are processed in a facility with allergens. They also don’t contain methylated B vitamins so they aren’t as absorbable.
Cost: $13.99 for 35 servings
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very affordable | Not organic or Non-GMO |
| Easy to find at most stores | Not vegetarian (contains gelatin) |
| Includes probiotic | Processed in a facility with allergens |
| 3rd party tested |
Also Good: Lil’ Critters Gummy Vites. Lil’ Critters is very comparable to Olly in terms of ingredients and nutrients except that it doesn’t contain probiotics, and is not 3rd party tested which is why I ranked Olly higher. But at only $0.13 per serving, it’s the cheapest vitamin for kids that I’ve found!
What To Look For In Kids Multivitamins
When choosing a vitamin for your child, I recommend prioritizing these factors:
1. Clean Ingredients: Look for vitamins with no artificial colors, no artificial flavors, and less than 4 grams of sugar per serving. I avoid Red #40, Yellow #6, Blue #2, and other synthetic dyes
2. Third-Party Testing: Choose brands tested by USP, NSF, ConsumerLab.com, or Clean Label Project. These prove the vitamin has been independently tested for purity and safety. If you don’t see a seal, check the brand’s website to see if they mention third-party testing.
3. Sugar Content: I look for 3-4 grams of sugar or less per serving. Many kids vitamins have 5+ grams of sugar, which is as much as a small cookie.
4. Comprehensive Nutrition: Does it contain the essential vitamins and minerals kids actually need? I looked for vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B-complex, folate, calcium, iron (or iron-free options), and zinc at minimum.
5. Appropriate Nutrient Levels: While comprehensive nutrition is important, vitamins should contain no more than 100% of the daily value for each nutrient. More isn’t better and can be harmful. Your child gets nutrients from food too, so vitamins should supplement, not replace food.
6. Bioavailable Forms: I prioritized brands that use forms of vitamins that kids can actually absorb. For example, methylated B12 is more bioavailable than cyanocobalamin.
7. Age-Appropriate Format
- Infants (0-12 months): Liquid drops only
- Toddlers (1-3 years): Liquid or easy-to-eat chewable tablets
- Kids 4+: Chewable tablets or gummies (tablets are safer)
- Avoid gummies for kids under 4 – choking hazard
8. Organic/Non-GMO: While not essential, organic certification and non-GMO verification are bonuses that indicate higher quality standards.
9. Form Factor: Chewable tablets or liquid vitamins are safer than gummies for young kids (gummies are a choking hazard for children under 4). Gummies also can’t include calcium or iron due to manufacturing limitations, they’re sticky, often have added sugar, and contribute to cavities.
10. Price: Don’t be fooled by bottle price. Divide the total price by number of servings to compare. Some vitamins require 2-4 gummies per serving, making them more expensive than they appear.
11. Taste: Will your kids actually take it? I had both of my kids taste-test every vitamin. If they refused to eat it, it didn’t matter how nutritious it was.
What To Avoid In Kids Vitamins?
Here are some things to watch out for when considering other children’s vitamins brands:
- Artificial Colors and Dyes: Red #40, Yellow #6, Blue #2, and other synthetic dyes have been linked to hyperactivity and health problems in children (source). I always avoid these.
- Artificial Flavors and Sweeteners: I avoid aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin. These synthetic sweeteners are highly processed.
- Excessive Sugar: I’ve mentioned this already, but zero added sugar is ideal, less than 4 grams is acceptable.
- Sugar Alcohols (Use Caution) Sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, and erythritol can cause digestive issues in some kids. Mannitol is generally the best tolerated.
- Carrageenan: This thickener has been linked to inflammation and digestive issues(source). Avoid it when possible.
- Maltodextrin While not unsafe, maltodextrin is highly processed and often indicates a low-quality vitamin.
- A note on gelatin: Personally, I avoid this because my family is plant-based. While this isn’t a harmful ingredient, it is derived from cow or pig bones, tendons, and ligaments, making it not suitable for anyone following a plant-based, vegan, or vegetarian diet.
- Note: I would also be wary for brands that have no third-party testing mentioned anywhere, which means that you have no way of knowing if their vitamins are contaminated with heavy metals.
Single Supplements for Kids (Brief Guide)
Sometimes your child needs a specific nutrient rather than a multivitamin. Here are my top picks for single supplements:
Iron Supplements
- Best: Hiya Iron+ for Kids – Carbonyl iron (gentle on stomachs), includes vitamin C for absorption, sugar-free, ages 2+
- Also Good: Mary Ruth’s Liquid Iron for Toddlers or Older Kids – Organic, clean ingredients, ages 1+
Vitamin D Supplements
- Best: Bobbie Vitamin D Drops – Organic, vegan, Clean Label certified, no artificial ingredients, allergen-friendly, 400 IU for infants, ages 0-12 months (and safe for older kids too).
- Also Good: Raise Them Well Vitamin D Drops (ages 0 months+), Baby D Drops (ages 0 months+) Llama Naturals Vitamin D Gummies – Plant-based D3 from lichen, vegan, ages 4+
Vitamin B12 Supplements
- Best for Vegan Kids: Live Wise Naturals B12 Drops – Methylated B12, clean ingredients, non-GMO, ages 1+
Vitamin C + Immune Support
- Best: Hiya Kids Immune Support
- Also Good: Raise Them Well Children’s Immunity (Contains With vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin K, and zinc); Llama Naturals Vitamin C with Elderberry (Organic, includes zinc, naturally sweetened, ages 2+)
Omega-3 Supplements
- Best: Nordic Naturals Children’s DHA – High-quality fish oil, strawberry flavor, third-party tested, ages 1+
Probiotic Supplements
- Best: Hiya Probiotics – 10 billion live cultures, chewable, third-party tested, ages 2+
- For Infants: Bobbie Probiotic Drops – Organic, Clean Label certified, 1 billion live cultures, ages 0-12 months (or if you need a powdered version, I like this one from Garden of Life).
Prebiotic Supplements
- Best: BeginHealth. It contains only three ingredients: Human Milk Oligosaccharide (with a Molecular structure identical to the one found in breast milk); and Oligofructose (Chicory root fiber).
For more details on single supplements, see my complete guides to kids iron Supplements, kids probiotics, and kids immunity vitamins.
FAQs
Does my child need a multivitamin?
Most healthy kids eating a reasonably balanced diet don’t need a multivitamin. However, a multivitamin can help if your child is an extremely picky eater, follows a restrictive diet, has been diagnosed with a nutrient deficiency, or has a medical condition affecting absorption.
When should kids start taking a multivitamin?
Start a multivitamin when your pediatrician recommends it based on your child’s diet and health needs. I started giving vitamins to my kids regularly at age 5 (on and off before then) during particularly picky eating phases.
What vitamins do infants need?
Infants drinking breast milk only (or less than 32 ounces of formula per day) need vitamin D supplementation (400 IU daily). Infants drinking 32+ ounces of formula daily get adequate vitamins from formula alone.
Are vitamins FDA approved?
No, the FDA doesn’t approve dietary supplements. This is why third-party testing by USP, NSF, ConsumerLab.com, or Clean Label Project is critical to verify purity and safety.
Can kids vitamins cause constipation?
Yes, iron is a common constipation-causing ingredient. If your child experiences constipation, talk to your doctor about switching to an iron-free formula or adding a probiotic.
Why don’t most kids vitamins include calcium?
Calcium is bulky and difficult to include in kid-sized tablets or gummies. Most children get adequate calcium from dairy products, fortified plant milks, leafy greens, and other foods.
Can adults take kids vitamins?
Yes, but the nutrient levels are lower than adults need, so I would use it more as a nutrient gap supplement vs. a full / comprehensive multivitamin. Full disclosure: I take Hiya vitamins for myself because I’m only looking for a food-gap vitamin option and I love the taste!
Are gummy vitamins as effective as tablets?
Gummies can be effective but can’t include calcium or iron, may have inconsistent nutrient levels, stick to teeth causing cavities, and are choking hazards for kids under 4. Chewable tablets are safer and more comprehensive.
What’s the best multivitamin for picky eaters?
Renzo’s Picky Eater Multi has melty tabs that dissolve easily, making it ideal for resistant kids. Hiya is also excellent with chewable tablets that taste good and dissolve quickly.
Final Thoughts
I hope this helps you in navigating the world of kids’ vitamins! As you can see, there are many quality vitamin brands on the market today, with a quality option for every child’s needs.
Remember to always talk to your pediatrician before starting any supplement, and choose brands that are third-party tested to ensure safety and quality.
After testing over 50 kids multivitamins, my top recommendation is Hiya for most families. It has comprehensive nutrition (15 vitamins and minerals including calcium), zero added sugar, third-party testing, a safe chewable tablet format for kids as young as 2, and my kids actually like taking it.
For more guides, recipes, tips, and tricks, check out the Best For Kids section of my blog. And if you have questions about kids vitamins or found a great brand I missed, leave a comment below or send me a message. I respond to every question I get!
Do you have any suggestions for iron supplement chewables or gummies? We’re trying to do away with liquid for our 2 year old and already wanted to give her the SmartyPants multivitamin that you had suggested above since it comes with probiotics already. I’ve found a few chewables like the Renzo’s Iron Strong which is perfect for what we’re looking for and only has vitamin C and iron but the first ingredient listed is “mannitol”.
Hi Carol! I don’t know of any iron chewables or gummies that have as clean of an ingredients list as the liquid ones, but this one from Carlson comes close. It has a better ingredients list than Renzo’s so I would go with that one instead!
Thanks Anjali! Really too bad the chewables or gummies ingredients list have a lot more going on. Thank you for your blog, it was very informative and has made me way more aware of what kind of things to avoid for my toddler!
No problem at all Carol! Glad it was helpful!
Hi Anjali,
My son is 3.5 years old, doesn’t like gummy vitamins and detects the flavors of the liquid vitamins when I mix them in his applesauce. Do you know of a liquid, flavorless multivitamin that I can buy? Thank you so much for your help.
Hi Val! I don’t know of any 100% flavorless liquid vitamins, but this one from Garden of Life comes close — so I would try that with your son! Hope that helps!
Hi Anjali,
My 4.5 year old didn’t like the taste of the organic Smarty Pants multi vitamins. Are the non organic ones good ones that you’d suggest too? She’s had those ones before and liked them. I prefer organic if I can. Otherwise do you recommend First Day vs. the regular smarty pants vitamins? I wanted something good for energy and mood too as my daughter gets tired easily, but doesn’t need to take iron supplements per her Pediatrician.
Thanks,
Tina
Hi Tina! If your daughter didn’t like the taste of the Organic Smarty Pants vitamins, I’d go with First Day over the regular vitamins since First Day is organic and has really high quality ingredients. Hope that helps!
Hi Anjali,
Thanks for posting such informational blog. Both my kids are aged 9 and 8. My elder kid height isn’t growing for past two years and growth chart didn’t show any change in two years, where as my younger one height growth chart is normal and good. My elder one wets bed every night , height isn’t growing and melts down each day for few hrs even for little issues. I have been diagnosed with auto immune issues which is in remission now. I discussed the same with physician but she says it’s too early to test kids for auto immune issues. I don’t want my kids in any way to inherit these auto immune issues from me. Would you be able to suggest any multivitamin for my elder son or which can work for both kids. Appreciate your response on this ! Thanks !
Hi Seema! I’m so sorry to hear about your older son’s struggles! That must be so stressful! In terms of a multivitamin, I’d recommend First Day which is made from organic ingredients and whole foods – it should be well absorbed by both of your kids and should help with energy. Regarding bed wetting – unfortunately no vitamin can help with that – that is more of a hormonal issue (and your pediatrician should be able to help with that). Regarding mood/meltdowns, here are some supplements that are supposed to help:
1) Magnesium and Vitamin D
2) Rhodiola Rosea
3) Fish Oil
And regarding growth — that’s mainly due to nutrition. How is your 9 year old eating? Does he eat a variety of foods, enough protein, fruits/veggies, etc.? If not, you might want to supplement his diet with one of these protein powders for kids — to give him more calories, healthy fats and protein to help him grow.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Hi Anjali,
Thanks a lot for your information! Why did you cross off the Nordic Naturals? I just bought its children’s DHA for my 21m baby.
Hi Ran! If you have a broken link checker installed, that might have been incorrectly marking Nordic Naturals’ link as broken (when it is not). I just checked and on my end, Nordic Naturals isn’t crossed off and I would still highly recommend it!
Dear Anjali,
Do you have a recommendation for a liquid multivitamin for toddlers? Preferably organic.
Thank you,
Gina
Hi Gina! Yes I love this liquid vitamin from Garden Of Life! It’s 100% organic and can be used starting at age 1.
Hi Anjali,
I noticed you crossed the Smartpants multivitamin off, do you not recommend those for kids? I’m looking for something I can give both my almost 5 and 8 year old daily that has vitamin B as well in it. Something good for focus too.
Thanks,
Tina
Hi Tina! I think the SmartyPants vitamin accidentally got crossed off due to a broken link checker bug — I still highly recommend that vitamin, and the link should be fixed now (so you won’t see it crossed off anymore!) Hope that helps!
Hi Anjali-
Thanks! Also, any experience with the vitamin brand called First Day?
Hi Tina! FirstDay is awesome – my kids both have loved it and I’ve spoken to the founder multiple times so can vouch for the quality of their ingredients!
Hi, thanks for this super useful list of children’s multi-vitamins. I am looking for either a Vitamin C only or multi-vitamin with heavy Vitamin C concentration. Could you recommend one that would work for both a 2-year old and a 4-year old?
Hi Betty! I like this Vitamin C from ChildLife – it’s perfect for both 2 and 4 year olds!
Hello Anjali
This is a great blog. Need help in figuring out a multi vitamin for my son. He is 4 yr old and we just figured out that lead content in his blood is high (7). Need to figure out the reason still though. Doc mentioned having high Iron and Calcium, will help to flush the Lead out of the body. His iron levels are also low. Could you please suggest a multi vitamin with Iron and Calcium covered. We are Vegetarians. Lead is 7 mcg/dl and Ferritin is 4 ng/ml. There is also a 2 year girl at home for whom we still need to get a blood test done. Both doesn’t take any multi vitamins currently
Hi Rakesh! I’m so sorry to hear about that!! That is so concerning and stressful. To your question – I’d recommend Raise Them Well for your 4 year old and Bluebonnet for your 2 year old. But depending on how much iron and calcium they need daily, you might have to supplement on top of what’s in these vitamins since neither one contains close to 100% DV of iron or calcium. I hope that helps and I hope you figure out what’s causing the high lead issue!
Thank you Anjali. My younger one got her lab result and unfortunately, even she has high lead level. I checked with the pediac and she mentioned as long as we take multi vitamin with iron, that should do and don’t need additional iron.
I just ordered the ones you suggested above.
Out of curiosity, when compared to Smarty pants or Llama naturals or even the Zarbees, what makes the Raise them well stand apart. It doesn’t mention organic products or vegan or from whole food..I still went with your recommendation and ordered the Raise them well trusting it has good ingredients.
Hi Rakesh! I’m so sorry to hear about that! But I’m glad your pediatrician thinks the multivitamins will solve the problem! To your question – the main difference between Raise Them Well and Smarty Pants/Llama Naturals is that Raise Them Well has iron and the other two do not. And the main difference between Raise Them Well and Zarbee’s is that Raise Them Well has both iron and calcium, and while Zarbee’s has iron, it doesn’t have calcium (and I think you had mentioned needing both iron + calcium in the vitamin you gave to your kids). So that’s why I recommended Raise Them Well! It’s not 100% organic, but it is sourced from food and is committed to all natural ingredients – and the best option given what you need. Hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions!
I’m looking for the best tasting chewable. My kids weren’t fans of the smarty pants or vita fusion little critters brand. Which of the list of your “THE HEALTHIEST CHILDREN’S MULTIVITAMINS WITH IRON”, do you think have the best flavor? Thanks!
Hi Genessa! I have heard that most kids really like Raise Them Well! Try that and let me know how it works for your kids!
So Garden of Life includes the ubiquitous “natural flavors” moniker in its ingredients; I notice you only mention artificial flavors. However, w new guidelines, my understanding is natural flavors could be anything at all. Have you done any research on this? I’m looking for an organic chewable that isn’t a gummy.
Hi Liz! Yes I’m with you on natural flavors – while they are better than artificial flavors, depending on who is making them, they could either be just like artificial flavors or actually truly natural. The issue is they aren’t regulated at all so it’s almost impossible to know. Is there a reason you’re looking for a chewable that’s not a gummy? Other than Garden of Life, I don’t know of any 100% organic chewables that aren’t gummies unfortunately. And even the best organic ones like Llama Naturals and First Day use natural flavors (though I’m much more inclined to trust their natural flavors than others!) If you are open to a gummy I’d recommend one of those!
One of my kids just hates gummy anything …. but I might explore that option if you trust those brands’ natural flavors more ….
Oh got it! Yeah I do trust those two brands ingredients and have spoken with both of the founders to verify that there is nothing artificial in their vitamins. So I would try one of those if you can get your kid to eat a gummy! 🙂
Hello! I have been using Thorne kids Multi for my 6 year old son with a mthfr mutation. I have noticed that after 1/6th the daily dose he is bouncing off the walls. After just one pill! The ingredients say it has almost 6,000% DV of B12. Why so much b12? And could this be why he can’t sit still after? Thanks
Hi Rebecca! B12 is a water soluble vitamin, so having a higher than 100% DV technically shouldn’t be an issue. B vitamins in general can cause increased energy — although I haven’t heard of them being linked to hyperactivity in kids. That said, everyone reacts to vitamins and supplements differently and it could certainly be the issue! You might want to switch to Raise Them Well which has methylated B vitamins, but not as high of a quantity as Thorne Kids. Hope that helps!
I’m curious to know what I can give my 9 year old daughter, who stays sick a lot mainly with the common cold, to help prevent her from getting sick so often and to possibly help build her immune system as well?
Hi Joe! I’d do a combination of Raise Them Well for a multivitamin, this Elderberry syrup which helps boost immunity, and this probiotic. Hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions!
Hi. Do you know of any other vitamins, pill form (not gummies or chewables) that are good for children ages 6 & 9? My children can swallow pills and would prefer them to take their vitamins that way. I would appreciate your suggestions.
Hi Rachel! Yes! Thorne Research is a pill (not a chewable or gummy) and would be perfect for both of your kids. Hope that helps!
What would be the best recommendation for my 10 year old daughter who has some focus problems, has gas pains, and has lower white blood cell count?
Hi Monique! Regarding your daughter’s health issues – I can recommend a few supplements but I would make sure you also speak to her pediatrician – especially about her lower white blood cell count which seems like it might be tied to a bigger health issue (and not something supplements can solve). Regarding focus, here are some vitamins that can help: 1) Fish Oil, 2) A B-Complex Vitamin, 3) A Zinc, Magnesium and Calcium supplement like this one 4) A probiotic, and 5) Rhodiola Rosea – which is an herb that can help with focus. Another thing to keep in mind is that a lot of focusing issues in kids are at least partly due to dietary issues — like too many processed foods, too much added sugar and artificial flavors/colors in their diet – so I’d just make sure your daughter’s diet is as clean as possible. Regarding her gas pains, the probiotic I recommended should help with that. And again, definitely follow up with her pediatrician about all of these issues but especially the white blood cell count issue. Hope all of this helps!
Should I give her both the probiotic and the supplement?
Hi Monique! Yes you can give her the probiotic along with the other supplements I mentioned (Make sure your pediatrician is aware of that in case there is something specific they’d like to modify about those recommendations based on your daughter’s needs!)
The probiotic you recommended (Garden of Life-Dr. Formulated Probiotics) has Tapioca Maltodextrin in it. Is this ok? Also, is there a multi-vitamin that you would recommend that is combined with B complex and fish oil? I really don’t want to have to give her 4-5 supplements, but as few as possible. She is not sick, her pediatrician said she is healthy and lower WBC is common in people of African descent compared to people of European descent. I just mentioned WBC count because she does get colds often during winter season.
Hi Monique! Regarding the probiotic – yes that added maltodextrin (while not ideal) – is ok because the variety of probiotic strains you get in that particular probiotic outweighs the tiny amount of maltodextrin added. I don’t know of a good multivitamin that has a high amount of B vitamins and fish oil – but you could always just omit the extra B complex and just add the fish oil + probiotic!
Hello, I have a 11 year old boy who is inattentive and has melt downs when trying to help him figure out problems of any sort (school work or social). I have an 9 year old girl who just needs a good vitamin. Both need fiber and/or something that can help with digestion. I’ve been looking at Smarty Pants Multivitamin, Smarty Pants Multivitamin with Fiber and Focus Factor. What do you think of these and is there something else you recommend instead?
Hi Genelle! Is this the Smarty Pants Vitamin you were referring to? If so, that would work well for both your son and daughter! Focus factor is great but isn’t a holistic multivitamin so you’d have to combine that with the Smarty Pants vitamin. For your son, here are some other supplements you can give him that can help with attention issues:
1) Fish Oil, 2) A B-Complex Vitamin, 3) A Zinc, Magnesium and Calcium supplement like this one, which you could use instead of the multivitamin for your son 4) A probiotic, and 5) Rhodiola Rosea – which is an herb that can help with focus. I like this supplement for Rhodiola Rosea for kids. Another thing to keep in mind is that a lot of focusing issues in kids are at least partly due to dietary issues — like too many processed foods, too much added sugar and artificial flavors/colors in their diet. So I would make sure your son’s diet is free of these as well. Hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions!
Hello, my kindergartener is having trouble staying on task and completing work. His teacher says he seems zoned out often and think we should talk to his doctor. I’m guessing she is suggesting without saying it that he may have adhd. You suggested above that that these vitamins may help. If he takes both the smarty pants multi + probiotic +omega and the smarty pants mineral together would need additional fish oil and probiotics?
Thank you
Hi Stacy! So the Smarty Pants Mineral vitamin is a subset of the vitamins in the Smarty Pants Multi (with probiotics/omega 3s) — so you’d be doubling up on many of the vitamins if you end up using both. I’d just use one or the other — if you go with the Smarty Pants Multi you don’t have to supplement with additional Omega 3s, but I would do the additional probiotics (since the multi only has 1 billion probiotics added and doesn’t have the large variety of strains the probiotic I listed above has). Hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions!