The Best Multivitamins For Kids (2025 Guide)
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.You might be considering a multivitamin for your child if your child is a picky eater, or if you’re concerned that they are not getting their nutritional needs met. But there are so many different types of vitamins for kids out there – it’s pretty difficult to figure out which ones are the best.
That’s why I created this guide to the best multivitamins for kids. As a health coach and nutritionist, I tested over 50 different vitamin brands to figure out which were the best across nutrition, ingredient quality, taste, price, and availability. In this guide, I’ll go over the top kid’s vitamins in a variety of categories, what to look for when considering vitamins, and how to know if your child even needs one.

When I started researching the best kids vitamins, I realized how tricky and confusing this space can be. There are so many questions: does my kid even need a vitamin? Can I trust the claims made on the bottle? Which vitamins are the best? Does my child need a children’s multivitamin with iron, or is a classic multivitamin sufficient?
Many of these questions can be overwhelming because there are so many brands and different offerings out there. There is also so much information to consider. So, in this post, I set out to find, research, and recommend the healthiest kids vitamins on the market today. Consider this is your guide for the best kids multivitamins: what to buy, what not to buy, and what to look out for!
Related: Best Vitamins for Teens
Disclaimer
As a board certified health coach and certified nutritionist, I support supplements that are rooted in science and are evidence-based. The FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they go to market, so I prioritize products that are third-party tested and certified by one of three independent third-party certifiers (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).
Other Information About This Guide:
- Though I may receive a commission (at no extra expense to you) if you purchase through some of the affiliate links provided, I only recommend products I’ve researched, evaluated, consulted experts on, and would feel comfortable giving to my own two children.
- As always, I only share products that are the highest quality and that can help you and your family the most. By purchasing any of these products from the links below, you help keep this blog running, so thanks for your support!
- Large doses of vitamins can be harmful to children; your child may benefit from individual vitamin supplements instead of a multivitamin. Always speak with a healthcare professional or physician about your child’s supplementation needs before adding a vitamin or similar supplement to their diet. The information shared in this post is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard or delay in seeking professional medical advice because of something you read here and always consult with your doctor to determine the proper administration and recommended dosage of vitamins for your child.
- All product prices are accurate at the time of this publication but are subject to change.
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 Infant: Wellements Organic Multivitamin Drops
- Best With Iron: Raise Them Well
- Best Subscription: Hiya Vitamins
- Best Vegan: Llama Naturals
- Best Liquid: Mary Ruth’s Kids Liquid Vitamin
- Best Organic: First Day
- Best For Picky Eaters: Renzo’s Picky Eater Multi
- Best Whole Food Based: Bluebonnet Nutrition
- Best Budget Friendly: Wellvites
Children’s multivitamins are a daily supplement containing vitamins and minerals that are created to be a dietary supplement to your child’s diet. All of the vitamins reviewed here have vitamin amounts following recommended dietary allowances, which are set by the Food and Nutrition Board (source).
Kid’s vitamins generally come in two groups: kid’s vitamins with iron and those without iron – and I have included my recommendations for both categories below.
Note: Certain vitamins and minerals, namely vitamins A, C, D, and iron can be toxic in large quantities (source). Always consult your doctor before starting your child on a vitamin, as they will have the best recommendation for your child’s needs.
Best Overall Children’s Multivitamins
If you’re looking for a vitamin that covers all your bases (organic, vegan, easy to find, picky eater approved, and more), these three brands are my top picks. These vitamins are tried and true, easy to find, made with quality ingredients, non-GMO, and more.
Hiya Vitamins
I absolutely love Hiya Vitamins! This is my number one best pick when it comes to children’s vitamins and the one that I give to my children.
Hiya offers chewable children’s vitamins that are sent to your door each month. The first order comes with a glass container and recyclable refill pouches arrive every subsequent month. These vitamins have no added sugar and my kids love the taste! Hiya also makes a kids iron supplement that you can use alongside their multivitamin if you want a vitamin for your kids that includes iron.
Each bottle is a 30 day supply for 1 child. Suitable for children aged 2 and over.
Cost: $30 for 1 bottle (price per bottle decreases when purchasing for multiple children)
Related: Hiya Vitamin Review
Pros
Cons
Smarty Pants Kids Multi & Probiotics
While I prefer chewables over gummies, this is one of the best gummy multivitamins because it is easy to find, organic, and contains both a multivitamin and probiotics in one. These gummies do taste great though, and my kids have always been happy to have them with minimal complaints.
Note: This version of SmartyPants vitamins is made with flaxseed oil to be both vegetarian friendly and include Omega 3s. 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!
Each bottle comes with 120 gummies, or a 30-day supply of vitamins.
Cost: $28.45
Pros
Cons
Zarbee’s Kids Complete Daily Multivitamin + Probiotic Gummies
Zarbee’s Kids Complete Daily Multivitamin + Probiotic is rich in essential vitamins while boasting a natural fruit flavor that little palates love. I like that these vitamins are a bit more affordable than other brands and are very easy to find.
These vitamins have minimal added sugar and are sweetened with cane sugar, honey and fruit juice. Because of the honey, unfortunately, these gummies are not vegan-friendly. They do contain 500 million to 1 billion probiotic strains as well.
Each bottle contains 7o gummies. Formulated for kids 2 years and up.
Cost: $21.29
Pros
Cons
Best Infant Multivitamins
Before giving any type of supplement to your infant, I strongly recommend discussing options with your pediatrician first! From my experience, breastfeeding along with a vitamin D supplement and formula are considered to be complete sources of nutrition for your baby.
Wellements Organic Baby Multivitamin Drops
This is my top pick for an infant vitamin because it’s organic, provides all of the essential vitamins a baby might need, and can be used for babies age 2 months and older.
They’re made without artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners, and have a yummy cherry flavor that babies tend to love!
I also appreciate that Wellements 3rd party tests their vitamins for purity, and that their vitamins are free of the top 9 most common allergens.
Each bottle contains 1 fl oz of supplement drops, or about 30 servings. For babies 2+ months.
Cost: $14.99
Pros
Cons
Mary Ruth’s Organic Infant Multivitamin
Formulated specifically for infants aged 6 months and up, Mary Ruth’s Organic Infant Multivitamin comes in a liquid, making it easy to stir into breast milk, formula, or even baby cereal.
This infant formulation comes in an orange-vanilla flavor, making it easy for babies to taste and enjoy. My only reservation about this supplement is that it contains stevia, and I wouldn’t have given my kids stevia before the age of 2.
Each bottle contains 2 fl oz of supplement drops, or about 30 servings. For babies 6+ months.
Cost: $14.96
Pros
Cons
Best Children’s Multivitamins With Iron
If you are looking for the best kids multivitamin with iron, here are my top two picks.
Raise Them Well
Formulated with methylated B vitamins, a form of the essential vitamins that is more bioavailable for your child, these all-star vitamins are vegetarian, gluten-free, non-GMO, and third-party tested. Raise Them Well also offers a subscription service, discounting the price for all subscription orders.
Each bottle contains 60 chewable tablets. Suitable for children aged 4 and up.
Cost: $21.99 ($20.89 for subscription orders)
Pros
Cons
Zarbee’s Naturals Children’s Complete Multivitamin + Iron
With a total B complex, iron, and natural fruit flavors, there isn’t a whole lot not to love about this one. It’s one of the best kids vitamins with iron. One of the only drawbacks is that it is made with honey so it is not vegan-friendly.
Formulated for kids aged 2+. Each bottle contains 90 gummies, or 45 or 90 servings depending on the age of your child.
Price: $16.49
Pros
Cons
Best Children’s Multivitamins Without Iron
If your doctor says that your child doesn’t need supplemental iron, here are my best children’s multivitamins without iron.
Naturelo Chewable Multivitamin for Children
This is one of my favorite chewable vitamins for kids. Not only is it organic, but it is also vegan and vegetarian; these vitamins are made with plant-based vitamins and minerals and they do not contain any gelatin or other animal products.
The only downside is that it is sometimes hard to find, and runs out often.
Each bottle contains 60 chewable tablets. Suitable for children ages 4 and up.
Cost: $24.95
Pros
Cons
Mary Ruth’s Organics Kids Multivitamin Gummies
Mary Ruth’s Kids Multivitamin Gummies are vegan, gluten-free, and made with no gelatin. They have a selection of flavors that my kids have enjoyed when they’ve tried them in the past. Made with 12 essential vitamins, they help support your kid’s immune system and overall wellness. I’m just not a fan of the sugar alcohol erythritol, which is included in these vitamins, because it can increase the risk of certain health issues (source).
Each bottle contains 60 gummies and is suitable for kids aged 2 and older.
Cost: $29.97
Pros
Cons
Best Organic Children’s Multivitamins
While many of the vitamins I’ve mentioned above happen to be organic, these two brands below deserve to be highlighted in this category because of their commitment to organic, clean ingredients! You don’t have to worry about any pesticides or GMOs in these multis; they’re full of only good-for-you ingredients!
First Day Kids Vitamins
One of my favorite organic kids vitamins, this gummy multivitamin is made with real organic fruits and vegetables and contains 9 of the top micronutrients that children most need. My kids loved the taste of First Day when we tested it out!
I typically recommend First Day to families who have kids that are pretty good eaters, and are just looking for a vitamin to “bridge the gap” on their nutrition. For kids that are picky eaters, First Day may not contain enough of each vitamin to make up for the lack of nutrition your child may be getting from food.
Each bottle contains a 60 gummies and is suitable for children ages 4+.
Bonus: first day has a great subscription service and they offer 15% off of all subscription orders.
Cost: $39/bottle ($30.60/bottle with subscribe and save)
Related: My complete review of First Day vitamins.
Pros
Cons
Lil Critters Organic Complete Multivitamin Gummies
Lil Critters are budget-friendly, USDA-certified organic, easy to find in major retailers, and made with no processed or artificial sugars or sweeteners. My kids love their fruit flavors so the gummies can be a good option for picky eaters as well.
90 gummies per bottle. Suitable for children aged 2-3 years+.
Cost: $17.20
Pros
Cons
Best Kids Liquid Vitamins
Liquid vitamins can be helpful for younger kids or those who want to be able to stir their vitamins into a drink, yogurt, or other food. My kids preferred chewables over liquid, but every kid is different so you have to choose what works best for your child! Here are the best vitamins in liquid form:
Mary Ruth’s Organic Multivitamin Liposomal
This vegan liquid vitamin supplement has a delicious strawberry cherry vanilla flavor that many kids love. The liquid is easy for kids to drink and is perfect for children who do not want to chew tablets or gummies. It has zero added sugar, and has greater bioavailability thanks to its liposomal technology.
Each 15.22 bottle contains up to 60 servings. This product was formulated for kids aged 4 to 13 years old.
Cost: $34.99
Pros
Cons
ChildLife Essentials Kids Liquid Multivitamin
ChildLife Multi Vitamin & Mineral liquid vitamin is a great budget-friendly option for your child. It’s not organic, which is why it doesn’t rank higher on my list, but it is non-GMO. It contains twelve vitamins plus minerals to support growth and has won many awards. Finally, this liquid vitamin is third-party tested for purity, identity, and strength, making it a vitamin that you can feel great about giving to young ones.
Each 8 oz. bottle contains up to 24 servings. Suitable for children aged 6 months and older.
Cost: $14.36
Pros
Cons
Best Children’s Multivitamins For Picky Eaters
There’s only one vitamin I have found that is designed specifically for picky eaters, and has a relatively clean ingredients list with no added sugar. If you have a picky eater who rejects most children’s vitamins, this picky eater vitamin brand is a great option!
Renzo’s Picky Eater Multivitamin
Renzo’s is a newer brand that has great reviews amongst the picky eater crowd. It was created by a doctor who wanted better vitamins for his young son before going into an important surgery.
This complete multivitamin with iron comes in melty tabs and has 18 essential vitamins. It’s also vegan and has no added sugar. My kids liked the melty tab format, because it just sort of dissolved on their tongue and required minimal effort to “eat.”
The multivitamin is available in two delicious flavors: cherry and green apple. It is approved for children 2 years and older, making it one of the best vitamins for picky eater toddlers.
60 melty tabs per box.
Cost: $23.39
Pros
Cons
Best Toddler Multivitamin
Most vitamins are designed for kids aged 2-3 and up. But I have found one vitamin below that’s designed for kids age 1 and up, perfect for toddlers. I’ve also added a second option that’s great for kids age 2-3. These two options are two of the best vitamins for toddlers.
Note: if you are looking for a specific toddler vitamin with iron, there isn’t currently one on the market that I recommend. You may want to speak with your doctor about giving your child an iron-only supplement in addition to one of these vitamins.
Garden Of Life Baby
If chewables or gummies are a choking hazard to your toddler or if they simply prefer a liquid, Garden of Life Baby Multi-Vitamin liquid may be a great option. This variety is safe for babies as well as toddlers so it can be a great multi for your child to grow with.
I appreciate that this vitamin is completely sugar free, has all natural ingredients, and has a neutral-citrusy flavor that is well tolerated by most kids.
Each bottle contains 56 servings and is formulated for ages 1 year+.
Cost: $16.79
Pros
Cons
Smarty Pants Toddler Multi & Probiotics
This multivitamin has it all: essential vitamins and minerals, probiotics, and omega-3s. It is an organic vitamin that has over 13 nutrients and fantastic fruit flavors. It is easy to find at most major retailers and has flavors that kid-approved flavors.
Each package comes with 60 gummies (a 30 day supply) and are formulated for kids 2-3 years of age.
Cost: $23.18
Pros
Cons
Best Whole Foods Based Children’s Vitamins
If you are looking for a vitamin that is made with healthy and whole foods, the following brand is for you:
Bluebonnet Nutrition Rainforest Animals Chewable Tablets
This whole foods based vitamin is one of the cleanest children’s vitamins: the chewable tablets are formulated with a base of super fruits. They contain 19 essential vitamins (including iron) and are a budget-friendly option for the number of tablets in each bottle.
Each bottle contains 180 chewable tablets. They are suitable for children ages 2+.
Cost: $29.45
Pros
Cons
Best Natural Vitamins For Kids
You can feel good about giving any of these natural vitamins to your children. They lack artificial ingredients and preservatives and one of them is even organic!
Garden of Life Vitamin Code Kids
I love these vitamins! Not only are they made with raw whole foods, but they also have added probiotics for digestion. They are made with 25 fruits and vegetables and contain 15 essential vitamins and minerals. The chewable bear-shaped vitamins have a cherry berry flavor and no added sugar.
When we tested this, while I loved the nutritional content, and ingredients, my kids did not like the taste, and they are pretty flexible when it comes to vitamins. However, Vitamin Code recently updated their formulation to improve the taste, so it might be a lot better now!
Each bottle contains 60 chewable tablets, or 30 servings. Suitable for children aged 4 years and older.
Cost: $22.34
Pros
Cons
Garden of Life Organic Kids Multi Gummies
Made with an organic fruit base and no processed ingredients, these USDA-certified and third-party tested vitamins are rich in 17 essential vitamins and minerals. This is a great natural vitamin option, but I take issue with the fact that it has 5 grams of sugar per serving! Also, it’s important to keep in mind that the serving size of 4 gummies is somewhat large for kids who are picky eaters.
120 vegan gummy bears per bottle. Suitable for children ages 4+.
Cost: $26.59
Pros
Cons
Best Vegan Children’s Multivitamins
Gelatin free vitamins are really important to my family, as we’re vegetarian. If you have a plant-based child, you can fill in their nutrition gaps with these vegan-friendly children’s multivitamins. They contain plant-based vitamin D3 and vitamin B12 and are made without gelatin, making them the perfect supplements for youngsters following a plant-based diet.
Llama Naturals Plant-Based Multivitamin
These iron-free real fruit gummy vitamins are a best-seller on Amazon and for good reason! They’re a hit with plant-based and non plant-based children alike.
They are rich in water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, methyl B12, folate, biotin, and pantothenic acid as well as fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin K, making them a well-rounded option for your child. These multivites are free of all major allergens and featuring a tasty natural strawberry flavor. My kids loved the taste of these!
90 fruit gummies per bottle. Suitable for children ages 2+.
Cost: $26.95 for 1 bottle ($24.26 for subscription orders)
Pros
Cons
Vitamin Friends Multivitamin & Iron for Kids
This vegan kids’ vitamins contains iron, B-complex, vitamin C, biotin, and zinc, making it a good choice for children who follow a vegan diet or don’t get enough iron in their diet. These gummies are made without gelatin and have a delicious strawberry flavor that kids love. They are also free of any common allergens.
60 vegan gummies per container. Suitable for children over two years of age.
Cost: $21.49
Pros
Cons
Natures Plus Animal Parade Children’s Chewable Multivitamins
Another one on the list of best vitamins that are vegan is Natures Plus multivitamin. This chewable supplement is made with whole food ingredients such as spirulina, broccoli, whole brown rice, and carrot. Though this vitamin isn’t organic or non-GMO, it is third-party tested.
180 chewable tablets (or 45 servings) per container. Suitable for children aged 2 and older.
Cost: $80.20 for 3 containers of vitamins (or $26.74/container)
Pros
Cons
Best Budget-Friendly Children’s Multivitamins
Don’t break the bank while still giving your child a quality multivitamin with this favorite budget-friendly brand.
Wellvites Kids Multivitamin Gummies
With most other non-GMO vitamins clocking in at over $25/month supply, this one can cost as low as $17.09 per month with Amazon’s subscribe and save option. These gummy vitamins are sugar-free, vegan, gluten-free and made without gelatin or artificial sweeteners.
Each bottle contains 60 gummy vitamins. Suitable for children over the age of two.
Cost: $18.95
Pros
Cons
What Should I Look For In A Multivitamin?
In general, I recommend that any vitamin you buy has a super clean ingredients list: no artificial colors, no artificial flavors, no added sugar (or a very low amount of sugar – less than 3-4 grams per serving), and that none of the vitamins have more than 100% of the daily recommended amount.
Vitamins are meant to be a supplement to your child’s diet, meaning that since your child may already likely be getting vitamins in their diet they do not also need the full daily amounts in vitamin form.
Other things I look for: whether the vitamin is organic (a huge plus), or non-GMO (also good), and 3rd party tested for things like heavy metals and other pathogens. If you’re plant-based, you’ll want to make sure your vitamin is vegan-friendly too.
What To Avoid In Kids Vitamins?
Though all of the options on my list are healthy kids vitamins options, here are some things to watch out for when considering other children’s vitamins brands:
- Carrageenan: This is an emulsifier that thickens products, but it has been linked to high levels of inflammation in the body, digestive issues, and chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease (source).
- Artificial colors and flavors: By definition, artificial colors and artificial flavors are highly processed, synthetic ingredients. Synthetic colors such as Red #40, Blue #2, Yellow #6 have been linked to many different health problems, including cancer, hypersensitivity reactions, and more (source). I avoid these at all costs!
- Artificial Sweeteners: I avoid aspartame, sucralose, sorbitol, mannitol, and most other sugar alcohols. These are an issue because some sugar alcohols can cause digestive issues and discomfort for some people (source). Mannitol is typically better tolerated than sorbitol, so in choosing between the two, I would avoid sorbitol over mannitol.
- Maltodextrin: While this ingredient isn’t considered to be an unsafe product for consumption, it is highly processed (source), often indicating that the vitamin is highly processed as well.
- Excess Added Sugar: Most children’s multivitamins need some level of sweetness to make them palatable for kids, but too much added sugar in vitamins is unnecessary. I usually look for 3-4 grams of sugar or less per serving.
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 diet or vegetarian diet.
Best Single Supplements For Kids
Healthy Children’s Iron-Only Supplements
Iron is a necessary nutrient for both adults and children because it allows the body to produce hemoglobin – which transports oxygen via red blood cells throughout the body (source). Here are some of my favorite iron supplements for kids.
- Clever Bird Liquid Iron: Formulated for kids aged 1+ (check for your child’s recommended dose with your pediatrician), this supplement tastes great and is easily absorbed.
- Hiya Iron+ For Kids: Can be used for kids aged 2+, non-GMO, sugar-free, made with carbonyl iron to be gentle on tummies, includes Vitamin C for easy absorption, tastes great!
- Mary Ruth’s Liquid Iron For Toddlers: Organic, Non-GMO, Super clean ingredients list, formulated for kids aged 1-3 (note: there is also a Mary Ruth’s Liquid Iron For Kids ages 4+!), it’s hard to go wrong with this liquid iron supplement.
- Nature’s Nutra: Formulated for babies as well as kids, I like this option because of its clean ingredients list. No artificial colors or flavors, either.
Related: Best Chewable Iron Supplements For Kids
Best B12 Children’s Supplements
It can be a good idea to consider supplementing with vitamin B12 if your child follows a vegetarian or vegan diet or otherwise doesn’t eat a lot of animal protein. Good sources of vitamin B12 are red meat, chicken (especially dark meat), dairy products, and some fortified cereals (source). The vitamin plays a very important role in many essential body functions, including red cell formation, nerve function, metabolism, and more (source).
When researching these supplements, I always look for supplements with methylated B12. This form of the vitamin is more bio-available, meaning that your kiddo’s body can absorb it most readily (source). Here are some of the best children’s vitamin B12 supplements on the market today, with all of them having methyl B12:
- Vimergy: An organic, vegan, and gluten-free vitamin B12 option that is naturally sweet and that kids love. Quite a high price tag ($63 for 2 ounces), but a quality product.
- Live Wise Naturals: These B12 drops are made with methylated B12, clean ingredients, and are formulated specifically for vegan toddlers and children. This brand isn’t organic but it is non-GMO and it sits at a more affordable price point ($19.99), though the price per ounce is higher as each bottle is only .4 fl oz.
- Nutra Champs: For a vitamin B12 supplement that comes with a B complex, Nutra Champs is a fantastic pick. It is budget-friendly ($20.66 for 2 ounces) and contains B1, B3, B3, B6, B7, B9, and methyl B12, though it is sweetened with monk fruit and stevia.
Best Vitamin C For Kids
I often get asked about the best vitamin C for kids. Vitamin C is an important vitamin because it helps boost the immune system and also repairs red blood cells (source). Here are my top vitamin C supplement picks:
- Raise Them Well Children’s Immunity Chewable: With vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin K, and zinc, this is a good one to choose if your doctor also recommends that your child supplement with vitamin D. Note: consult your pediatrician if your child is already taking a multivitamin with these vitamins.
- Llama Naturals Vitamin C with Elderberry: Containing potent elderberry extract, these naturally sweetened gummies are delicious tasting, great for immune health, and rich in vitamin C and zinc. Because of this, Llama Naturals is some of the best vitamin C for toddlers!
- Children’s Best Organic Immune Support(with Elderberry): A great option for parents who want an organic vitamin C supplement for their children. Raspberry flavored with elderberry extract.
- Olly Kids Immunity: Delicious cherry flavor makes this gummy vitamin a hit with little ones. With vitamin C derived from Acerola cherry as well as elderberry and Zinc, these chews are not made with gelatin, making them vegan-friendly.
Related: Best Kids Immunity Vitamins to Fight Colds
Best Vitamin D Supplement For Kids
Unless your baby is formula-fed (and getting 32oz / day of formula), you will always want to supplement vitamin D for any infant 0-12 months (source). Older kids who have been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency or otherwise don’t get enough vitamin D (or sun exposure) may be directed by their pediatricians to take vitamin D supplements as well. Here are a few of my top recommendations:
- Bobbie Vitamin D Drops: These organic, vegan Vitamin D drops are designed for infants 0-12 months and children aged 1-3 but personally, they could be used for kids older than 3 years as well. Just check with your pediatrician before using this for your child. They provide 100% of the daily recommendation for Vitamin D (400 IU) for infants 0-12 months, and 67% of the daily recommendation for Vitamin D (600 IU) for children 1-18 years (source). These drops are 3rd party tested, Clean Label Certified, have no artificial ingredients or added sugars, and are made without peanuts, eggs, wheat, milk, fish, shellfish, soy, and sesame.
- Llama Naturals Vitamin D Gummies: Plant-based vitamin D3 can be hard to find, but Llama Naturals does it again! This vegan gummy vitamin is great for adults as well as kids. They are made with vitamin D3 that is sourced from lichen and that can help with bone health, immunity, and more. No added sugar cane or artificial ingredients.
- Raise Them Well Vitamin D Drops: With absolutely nothing (flavors, colors, etc.) added to these drops, they are fantastic for picky eater kids and young babies. All your baby needs is one drop of the supplement in their milk each day.
- BabyD Drops: Another fantastic vitamin D3 drop option and a favorite with pediatricians. This brand is certified organic, is easy to find, and has a neutral flavor.
- UpSpring: Gluten-free, non-GMO, and made with all-natural ingredients, UpSpring drops are a fantastic pick. They can be hard to find but do tend to be more budget-friendly.
Best Children’s Omega 3 Supplements
Fatty acids such as Omega-3’s are one of the key nutrients growing kids need. In fact, DHA, one of the Omega-3’s, is found in breast milk and is added to most regular and organic baby formulas. This fatty acid is crucial in eye and nervous system health as well as brain development throughout infancy (source). As kids get older, they still need omega-3s for healthy development and growth, brain function, and even improving sleep and mood (source). For that reason, it’s always a good idea to make sure your child is getting enough healthy fatty acids. Here are some of my favorite picks:
- Nordic Naturals: This fish oil supplement tastes like strawberry, making it a favorite with kids. It contains DHA and EPA, improving learning, immune system function, and brain development. It is made with 100% wild arctic cod, making it a safe source of Omega-3s. Because of this, it is not vegetarian or vegan-friendly, however.
- ChildLife Cod Liver Oil: Another fantastic kid-friendly fish oil supplement. This cod liver oil has a strawberry flavor and the bottle has recommended dosage for kids aged 6 months to 4 years.
Related: BEST Kids Vitamins for Brain Development
Healthiest Probiotic Supplements For Kids
Probiotics can help with your young one’s digestion, immune system, brain health, and more (source). Since there are currently no official dosage recommendations for children, it is generally the best idea to add probiotics to your child’s diet by encouraging probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sourdough bread, and more (source).
If your child doesn’t prefer to eat these foods, it can be a good idea to discuss supplementation with your doctor. Here are some of the best kid-friendly probiotic supplement options:
- Hiya Probiotics: This is the probiotic I give to my kids daily! 10 billion live cultures make these chewable probiotics an immunity and gut health superstar. I use their subscription-based purchasing model for the ultimate convenience.
- Bobbie Probiotic Drops: These USDA organic certified liquid probiotic drops are designed for infants 0-12 months, but personally, they could be used for kids older than 12 months as well. Just check with your pediatrician before using this for your child. They include 1 billion live cultures with two strains of probiotics. They’re 3rd party tested, Clean Label Certified and were granted the Pesticide Free Award. They also happen to be virtually tasteless and can be mixed into just about anything!
- Llama Naturals Probiotics: With a prebiotic as well as a probiotic, this real fruit-sweetened gummy with peach mango flavor is always a kid favorite!
- Garden of Life Chewable Probiotic: This variety of kids probiotic features 14 strands of probiotics along with vitamins C and D, making it a multitasking powerhouse. It is organic, gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free.
- Garden of Life Powdered Probiotic: Easily mix this powdered probiotic into mix, yogurt, infant formula, or juice for easy supplementation. It has a neutral flavor so it doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or sweeteners.
- Children’s Best Organic Gummy Probiotic: These gummies are made in the United States and have a fantastic strawberry flavor. They are non-GMO and contain 2.5 billion live cultures per serving.
Bonus: Learn more about the best probiotics for kids here.
The Healthiest Prebiotic Supplement For Kids
Prebiotics are sources of food for probiotics, allowing the probiotics to better benefit the digestive system (source). Prebiotics can be a tricky one to find for children because many of the popular brands contain stabilizers and other artificial colors and flavors.
The one prebiotic brand that I do confidently recommend is 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). It’s super clean and really effective!
FAQs
Yes, it is safe to give multivitamins to most children. But many pediatricians will tell you that a multivitamin is not necessary for most healthy children who are growing normally and eat a well-balanced diet (source). This is because kids who eat well and eat a variety of foods can get all of the nutrients they need from whole foods (source).
But, for kids who are picky eaters, aren’t growing well, have food allergies, have been diagnosed with certain medical conditions, or follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet, a multivitamin supplement may be a good idea to consider.
They can help fill nutritional gaps and encourage healthy development, supplying your children with the essential nutrients to thrive. As always, however, always speak with your healthcare provider before giving your child vitamin supplementation. If they suggest giving your child a multivitamin, then definitely do so.
Infants who are consuming breast milk only, or who are consuming less than 32 ounces of formula per day need an additional vitamin D supplement; infants consuming 32 ounces or more of a government-approved formula (per day) do not need any supplementation (source). I gave both of my kids a vitamin D supplement when they were infants, since I was mainly breastfeeding for the first 9 months of their lives (before I transitioned to formula).
Kids should start taking a vitamin when their pediatrician recommends that they do. Your pediatrician will assess your child’s diet, and any other medical conditions to determine whether they should start on a multivitamin. I started giving my kids vitamins when they turned 5.
Unfortunately, vitamins and supplements are not FDA approved. It is for this reason that I look for trustworthy third-party testing when considering the best vitamins for my kids. Reliable third-party testing companies are USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab.com.
It is somewhat expensive for vitamin manufacturers to undergo third-party testing with any of these three companies, meaning that many of the brands that are certified tend to be more expensive.
Because of this, it also means that there are likely many vitamin companies out there that are healthy to consume but are not third-party tested simply because they did not have the budget for it. For this reason, it is important to research the vitamin companies and always speak with your doctor before consuming a new vitamin brand.
Yes, some of the ingredients in children’s multivitamins can cause constipation as well as diarrhea or upset stomachs. A common constipation-causing ingredient is iron. If you ever have concerns, please reach out to your doctor, but often the constipation or stomach upset will disappear as your child’s body adjusts to the supplement. Otherwise, talk with your provider about switching to a multi without iron or to a vitamin that also contains probiotics.
I personally don’t give my kids an iron supplement every day, because most kids can get enough iron through iron-rich foods such as dark leafy greens, iron-fortified bread and breakfast cereal, nuts, and seeds, red meat (if they are not vegetarian), and more (source).
If your child doesn’t eat many of these foods, follows a plant-based diet, and/or has been diagnosed with iron deficiency, your doctor will likely want you to supplement with an iron-only supplement or a multivitamin with iron for kids. Otherwise, supplementing with iron is not necessary for most kids (source). I’ll only give my kids an iron supplement on days when I feel like they haven’t eaten as well to help bridge the gap in their nutrition.
Note: Some vitamins also have calcium added, but not many do, as calcium is a bulky mineral which would likely make the vitamins too large for little ones to comfortably consume.
Calcium is a very important mineral, however, as it is responsible for building strong bones. It is therefore important for your child to get calcium from food sources such as dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese) leafy green vegetables, salmon, legumes, seeds, and more (source).
If your child doesn’t ingest many of these ingredients, consult your pediatrician starting your child on a quality calcium supplement, such as ChildLife Essentials.
Yes, theoretically adults can take children’s vitamins, as there is no harm in doing so. The amount of the vitamins and mineral supplements in the vitamins, however, will likely be much lower than the daily values needed to supplement an adult’s diet.
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.
After reading this list, always discuss vitamin supplementation with your child’s doctor before choosing the best option for them.
For more guides, recipes, tips, and tricks, check out the Best For Kids section of my blog. If there’s a fabulous kids vitamin brand that I missed, be sure to let me know in the comments! And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or send me a message – I respond to every question I get!
Hi
2 boys ages 8 and 11. I don’t have them on anything. Would prefer to give them omega, vitamin d and vitamin c
Is their one type of supplement that contains this all.
Hi Natasha! Yes I’d recommend Smarty Pants Kids Multivitamin which has Omega 3s, Vitamin D and Vitamin C included.
Hello what about Kirkland signature children’s complete multivitamin gummies purchased from Costco ?
Hi Aileen! The Kirkland gummies have gelatin added, so they’re not vegetarian friendly (if that is a concern for you). They also have sugar alcohols (mannitol), maltodextrin (a high glycemic processed ingredients/stabilizer), and corn syrup (which is GMO) — among other ingredients that I wouldn’t recommend. One of the vitamins on my list will probably be a better option for your child!
What do you think of Animal Parade multi-vitamin? I saw that you had a picture of it above but nothing mentioned. Also any insight Olly?
Hi Stacy! The Animal Parade multivitamin is actually in my “runners up” list in the post – the reason why I placed it there was due to the Prop 65 warning on its label. Olly kids is great and they are already on my list as well! 🙂
Thank you for this very informative article!
It is very helpful. Choosing a good vitamin can be so hard and confusing at times…
Can you please tell me what would your recommendation be for my children, 9 and 12 (almost 13) years old girls. Both girls do eat very healthy. So, 9 yrs old would need just a basic vitamin if anything…. 12 yrs old is very active with sensitive gi tract, on a skinnier side….. At her age what is the best multivitamin choice with and without iron? Would multivitamin with iron and calcium be better for her age?
Thank you very much!
Hi Gorjana! For your 9 year old, I’d recommend FirstDay – it’s a great supplement for kids who already eat very healthy, focuses on just the basic vitamins all kids need. For your 12 year old, since she’s almost turning 13, I’d actually recommend she switch to a women’s/adult vitamin that includes iron & calcium (as long as she’s comfortable swallowing pills). If she can swallow one pill a day, I’d go with Garden of Life Women’s Once Daily. Hope that helps!
Thank you very much for your response!
Anytime! 🙂
Hi, I have 3 children of ages 2-8, boys and girls. I’m looking for a multivitamin that has high calcium and vitamin D content, as well as other vitamins and minerals. Do you have a recommendation?
Thank you so much
Hi Svetlana! Can you tell me how much Vitamin D and Calcium you need in the vitamins for each of your kids? Then I can better give you a recommendation! Most kids multivitamins will have a good amount of Vitamin D, but most won’t have a ton of calcium because they assume most kids will get enough calcium through their diet. So depending on how much Calcium and Vitamin D you need for your kids, I may have you add a calcium or vitamin D supplement to an existing multivitamin. Let me know and we can go from there. Thanks!
I have a 12 year old daughter she’s very moody and can’t wake up for school. Which multi vitamin will be good for her.
Hi Jessie! Since your daughter is 12, she can actually take women’s multivitamins (as long as she’s comfortable swallowing pills). If she can swallow 1 pill a day, I’d recommend Garden of Life Women’s Once Daily. Hope that helps!
Hi!
Thank you for such a great post. I was just wondering what is your take on Bio Natural Children’s Advanced Multiple? https://bionaturals.co/products/bio-naturals-childrens-liquid-multivitamin-immune-booster-natural-supplement-for-kids-toddlers-with-vitamins-a-b-c-d3-e-fiber-fruits-vegetables-no-gmos-gluten-sugar-dairy-soy-16oz?variant=20124868378678
This is what I’ve been giving my son but it’s not available now.
Hi Panta! Bio Naturals is a good vitamin! I used to have it on my list but removed it because it’s been out of stock for over 6 months! Instead, I’d recommend Garden of Life for Toddlers. Hope that helps!
I have 3 kids, 2 are needing some nutritional help with vitamins.
6 year old boy- eats a ton! Eats so so much. He does eat fruits snd veggies but not often.
2 year old girl-eats veggies and fruits but not the recommend as she is super picky.
Hi Wanda! For your 6 year old, I’d recommend FirstDay since it includes 27 organic fruits & veggies and is meant to fill the “nutritional gaps” in a child’s diet. First Day is only good for kids aged 3+ so once your daughter turns 3, you can put her on FirstDay as well. In the meantime, while she’s 2, I’d recommend Smarty Pants Toddler Multivitamin. Hope that helps!
Hi, I have 3 kids , they are 11-9-5 years old and looking for kosher vitamin c supplement which boost their immune system . You didn’t mention any in your article . What could you recommend to me please? Thanks
Hi! I’d recommend this Vitamin C from Mary Ruth’s. It’s organic, non-GMO, and I believe it’s kosher as well. All 3 of your kids (and you!) can take it. Hope that helps!
Hi!
My two year old granddaughter is a picky eater with irregular bowel movements and often has meltdowns. When researching multivitamins with magnesium they often don’t have a dose for her age group. What would you recommend for her?
Thank you!
Hi Jessica! I’d recommend this Magnesium supplement from Raise Them Well – it’s formulated specifically for toddlers and kids!
My kids have been taking the Alive multi-vitamin chewable. Our doctor said we needed to add calcium so I’m researching again. It seems to have more of a lot of good vitamins than most on the list but it has the added sorbitol. When I did a google search I didn’t find anything too terrible except it is slow to metabolize. Could you link to an article or elaborate on why it’s bad? Thank you!
Hi Ashley! There is nothing wrong with Alive Multi Vitamins for kids except like you said, the sorbitol. It has methylated B vitamins which is great and a large variety of vitamins. It’s the Flinstones kids vitamins that I have the biggest problem with, Alive is not bad in comparison. If you’re looking for a separate calcium supplement I actually like the one from the Mama Bear brand. Hope that helps!
You should edit to add that GARDEN OF LIFE was bought out by Nestle and is no longer a trustworthy brand for a whole foods vitamin. Nestle is not an ethical company and the formula had been changed since the buyout!
Hi Oma! So sorry but that’s not correct. They were acquired by Nestle, but the formula actually hasn’t been changed since the buyout which is why I have kept them on my list! Pretty much every natural vitamin has been bought by a larger conglomerate at this point — the important thing is whether their formula or ingredients have changed since the buyout and in the case of Garden of Life, it hasn’t!
Hi Anjali,
My almost 5 year old gets very stubborn at home at times, but listens well and does great at school/or with others. Right now I’m giving her the organic Smartypants multi vitamins, but thinking maybe she need something different? She’s gets moody at home at times lately, and as a baby we had to give her iron drops, but we didn’t need to her after she turned 1 year old. I will get her iron checked at her 5 year checkup, but wondering what vitamin do you suggest that is good for strong willed kids or tantrums if such thing lol?
Thanks!
Tina
Hi Tina! Honestly, it sounds like your 5 year old is just acting like a typical 5 year old 🙂 The SmartyPants vitamins are great – but there is no vitamin that will change the mood of a strong willed child 🙂 That being said, if your pediatrician indicates that your daughter has focusing issues or might be ADD/ADHD, then there are vitamins and supplements that can help with that. Let me know if that’s the case but if not, just keep doing what you’re doing!
Hello, What vitamins do you recommend for the ADD/ADHD?
Hi Raquel! While I’m not an expert on ADD or ADHD, there are a few supplements that I have heard can help with concentration in kids (but make sure to talk to your pediatrician before you give any of these to your child):
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. I like this supplement for Rhodiola Rosea for kids.
Another thing to keep in mind is that focusing/ADHD issues in kids can be exacerbated by dietary issues — like too many processed foods, too much added sugar and artificial flavors/colors in their diet. So I would make sure your child’s diet is free of these as well. Hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions!
Hello .. I was just wonder how you feel about Buried treasures liquid vitamins for children..
Hi Tabitha! It’s not bad – it has a few preservatives that I don’t love included, but other than that it looks ok!
Ok thank u so much for answering my pot !🙂 I have really struggled with finding a liquid multivitamin for my children and myself … we have tried the Mary Ruth’s… and I’m not so sure about Several different things with the end. I was looking at the child’s life that you recommended, but was hoping to get some thing with a little more zinc to help their immune system‘s ..Also I think they are low in iron And child’s life doesn’t have iron in it…
Maybe I should do you iron separate I’m not sure .
No problem at all I’m glad it was helpful! If the multivitamin you’re using has iron included, there is no need to supplement with iron separately.
I have a 9 years old, he’s a picky eater, he doesn’t drink milk, eat eggs, and fruits except for apple. He’s been taken Flintstone immune support. His main diet consists of carbohydrates, Spinach and meat. He has started having problem with school work and uncontroll emotions. Please do you think First day is a good choice for him?
Hi! I do think FirstDay would be a much better option for him than Flinstones, especially since they include 27 organic fruits & veggies in their vitamins so that should help fill the gap in his nutrition. Hope that helps!
Hi!
Would you suggest the Smarty Pants Kids Mineral Multi Vitamin with the Magnesium and Vitamin D over the Smarty Pants Toddler for an active 4 year old who is very emotional with moods and meltdowns? I see above you mentioned Magnesium and Vitamin D can help these behaviors. I’m interested in hearing more about this, can you point me in the direction of an article?
Also, when looking at ingredient lists, will an item actually indicate ‘Blue #2, Yellow #5 and Red #40? Or will these be disguised by other wording?
Thanks so much!
Hi Sarah! Yes given what you said about your daughter I’d go with the Kids Mineral Multi so you get the added Magnesium + Vitamin D. And there are actually quite a few articles linking Magnesium + Vitamin D to improved mood / mood stabilization — I’ve linked a couple below but if you do a Google search you’ll come across a lot more:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/10-nutrients-that-can-lift-your-spirits/2014/01/14/05f4e514-7a4d-11e3-b1c5-739e63e9c9a7_story.html
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325823
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-vitamin-d
And yes, regarding ingredients lists, most will indicate “Blue #2”, etc. The only other way these ingredients could be “hidden” is under the blanket term “artificial colors.” Hope that helps!