As a parent, you’re faced with a myriad of decisions each day that can feel like they’re make-or-break for your child. Choosing the best vitamins for kids is a common source of stress for many parents—are they getting everything that they need? Are they missing out on vital nutrients that are required to grow healthy and strong?
While food should be the main source of nutrition for your little one, vitamins can fill any gaps and ease your worries. Every kid is different, and vitamins can be a fantastic way to banish any doubt about whether they’re getting the nutrients they need. Choosing high-quality vitamins is essential—here’s a roundup of the best vitamins for kids, no matter what their diet may look like.
Kids supplements 101: are they helpful or harmful?
Do kids really need vitamins and supplements?
While they’re not typically necessary, they can be a helpful way to boost specific nutrients and support healthy growth. Especially if your kid is the type to leave their greens untouched, no matter how many “secret vegetable” recipes you try to sneak onto their plate. (Zucchini muffins, sweet potato brownies, blending veggies into mac and cheese sauce… you’ve exhausted all the options.)
Kids’ vitamins and supplements are a great way to ensure that your kiddo is truly meeting all their nutritional goals. While it’s not necessary for most, it can provide peace of mind that your child gets the best chance possible to grow big and strong. We’ve rounded up a list of the best vitamins for kids to help you choose the right supplement for your little one.
The best types of kids’ supplements for optimal health
From multivitamin gummies to sleep support, here’s your ultimate guide to the best vitamins for kids.
Multivitamins
Multivitamins are the most common supplement for kids to take, and typically include the essential vitamins like A, B, C, D, E, and K, as well as beneficial minerals such as zinc, calcium, iron, and iodine. While multivitamins aren’t a necessity for most children, they’re a fantastic way to make sure your child’s diet is checking all of the boxes.
Sleep supplements
Many kids have trouble sleeping at night, and gentle supplements can be extremely beneficial to ensure your little one is getting the rest that they need. Some sleep supplements include melatonin, however, there are many kids’ sleep supplements that are made with magnesium instead as a more gentle alternative.
Brain health supplements
Omega-3s can be a valuable tool to boost brain power for your little one. Luckily, many multivitamins include this powerful ingredient, making them a great option for your child to feel clear-minded and perform their best.
Before giving your kid supplements, make sure you know this
The best vitamins for kids are made from high-quality ingredients and are third-party tested to ensure that they’re completely safe to consume. Avoid ingredients like fillers, artificial colors or flavors, unnecessary sweeteners, and any allergens that your child may be sensitive to.
Before giving your child any vitamins or supplements, consult with a pediatrician to create the best plan possible for your little one. Always read and follow the recommended dosage based on your child’s age and weight.
The best vitamins for kids
From gummies to drinks, these are the best vitamins for kids to help support your child’s growth and development.
Garden of Life Kids Organics Multi-Vitamins
These multivitamins are packed with high-quality nutrients like organic fruits and vitamins. Made with nine whole fruits, these gummies are non-GMO, USDA organic, nut-free, kosher, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, and soy-free. Formulated without artificial sweeteners or dyes, these vitamins contain all of the essential nutrients (without harmful additives).
SmartyPants Organics Kids Formula
SmartyPants’ vegetarian gummies are loaded with multi and omega-3s, folate, choline, zinc, beta carotene, and vitamins D3, K2, and B12 for immunity, energy, and bone health. They’re non-GMO, USDA organic, and made without artificial colors, synthetic colors, preservatives, or common allergens.
KAL Kids MultiSaurus® MultiVitamin
KAL’s multivitamins for kids include 11 essential vitamins and minerals to promote healthy bones, tissue, and the immune system. They’re preservative-free, gluten-free, and made without any artificial colors.
Nature’s Way Kids Sambucus Immune Support
Combat cold and flu season naturally with these tasty gummies from Nature’s Way. Enriched with elderberry, zinc, and vitamin C, these gluten-free and gelatin-free berry chews are designed to support a healthy immune system for kids. Made without artificial colors using elderberry picked at peak ripeness from select European regions, these gummies are the perfect solution to provide antioxidant support that your kid will be happy to take.
Nordic Naturals Nordic Berries Multivitamin Gummies
Made for adults and children, these third-party tested gummies from Nordic Naturals are the solution for optimal wellness to ensure your little one is getting all of the required daily vitamins and minerals. They’re non-GMO, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and made without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
The best vitamins for kids: picky eater edition
Good Day Chocolate Kids Multivitamin
If your kiddo hates taking vitamins, these chocolate multivitamins may be the workaround you need. Made from fair-trade milk chocolate, these sweet treats include folate, biotin, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, and E. Colored by fruits and veggies and formulated without GMOs or high-fructose corn syrup, your little one will love this multivitamin masquerading as a sweet treat.
Macro Life Naturals Kids Macro Coco-Greens Superfood Chocolate
This chocolate powder is a superfood for kids in disguise, packed with three servings of fruits and vegetables, plant-based vitamins and minerals, probiotics, fiber, magnesium, calcium, electrolytes, trace minerals, and no high-fructose corn syrup or artificial ingredients. This chocolate drink powder can be enjoyed hot or cold and is gluten-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, cruelty-free, and made without artificial colors, preservatives, or added sugar.
MaryRuth’s Liquid Morning Multivitamin
This liquid morning multivitamin is an easy way to boost nutrition before getting your kids out the door, and can be taken by the whole family. This vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, and sugar-free blend of vitamins and minerals supports metabolic processes as well as immunity, energy, and overall health. This easy-to-take raspberry multivitamin can be taken alone or added to drinks and smoothies for picky eaters.
The best vitamins for kids to get better sleep
Hyland’s Kids Organic Sleep Calm + Immunity Melatonin Free Gummies
If bedtime is a struggle in your household, Hyland’s Kids melatonin-free gummies are a must-try. Formulated with lemon balm, chamomile, and black elderberry, these vitamins support better sleep and improved immunity for an easier bedtime. They’re gluten-free, non-GMO, gelatin-free, USDA organic, cruelty-free, and made without high fructose corn syrup, common allergens, artificial flavors and sweeteners, or synthetic dyes.
MaryRuth’s Kids Nighttime Multimineral Liquid
MaryRuth’s nighttime liquid is formulated to support calm, sleep, and bone health for children without melatonin. This peaches and cream flavored liquid is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients required to support overall health like magnesium, calcium, vitamin D, selenium, iodine, vitamin K, and more. It’s sugar-free, gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan.
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