The Best Multivitamins for Kids in 2024
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Many children are picky eaters and notorious for having a diet that consists almost entirely of mac and cheese, chicken nuggets and applesauce. While these foods might seem like a perfect meal to a kid, they typically aren’t the most vitamin dense. If you’re on the hunt for a children’s multivitamin to help fill in the gaps—or if you’re just looking to supplement a relatively well-rounded diet with a multivitamin—we can help.
“In general, if a child has a well-balanced diet there is no need for multivitamins,” says Dr. Ali Alhassani, the head of clinical at Summer Health. “However, they are still very safe when taken at the doses recommended on the bottle.”
To help make the process easier, we’ve consulted with pediatricians about the best multivitamins for kids and what you’ll want to keep in mind including serving size, form, key vitamins, minerals and age recommendation. Read on for our list of the best multivitamins for children; we’ve covered supplements that have everything from vitamin C to calcium to biotin and even probiotics.
This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor, or in this case, your children’s pediatrician, before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.
Our Picks for the Best Multivitamins for Kids in 2024:
- Best Overall Multivitamin for Kids: Olly Kids Multi + Probiotic
- Best Multivitamin for Teens: Ritual Essential for Her│Him
- Best Vegan Multivitamin for Kids: Garden of Life MyKind Organics Kids Multi Vegan Gummies
- Best Magnesium Multivitamin for Kids: Natural Vitality Kids CALM Sweet Citrus Gummies
- Best Chewable Multivitamin for Kids: SmartyPants Multivitamin for Kids + Omega-3s
- Best Liquid Multivitamin for Kids: ChildLife Multivitamin and Minerals
- Best Powder Multivitamin for Kids: Garden of Life Kids Multivitamin Powder
Best Multivitamin for Kids Overall: Olly Kids Multi + Probiotic
Olly
Key features and specs:
- Dose: 1 gummy (ages 2-3) or 2 gummies (ages 4+) daily
- Servings per container: 35 or 70
- Key vitamins and minerals: Vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, biotin, choline, iodine, zinc, pantothenic acid
- Form: Gummy
- Age recommendation: 2 years old and up
You may be familiar with Olly due to their big presence on Instagram, but did you know the brand also makes a kids multivitamin? Within each berry punch flavored gummy, there’s a combination of vitamin A, B, C, D, E and zinc. Additionally, this multivitamin stands out because it also serves as a probiotic supplement for kids. Olly refers to the probiotic bacteria as “the good bugs.” The American Academy of Pediatrics says that probiotics among children have been linked to preventing atopic eczema and common infections, so if you’re looking for a yummy, easy to digest probiotic multivitamin for your kids, this one from Olly could be right up your alley.
Just remember to check with your pediatrician or a dietitian to see if probiotics should be added to your child’s current diet.
For more information on Olly's other vitamin and supplement options, check out our Olly Vitamins review!
Pros:
- No artificial colors or flavors
- Serves as a probiotic in addition to a multivitamin
- Promotes immune support
Cons:
- Made with added sugars
Best Multivitamin for Teens: Ritual Essential for Teens Multivitamin for Her│Him
Get 25% off your first month of Ritual! Code: SI25
Ritual
Key features and specs:
- Dose: 2 capsules daily
- Servings per container: 30
- Key vitamins and minerals: Vitamins A, D3, E, B12, K2, Omega-3 DHA, folate, iron, zinc and magnesium
- Form: Vegan capsule
- Age recommendation: 13-17
Ritual Essential for Teens is our pick for the best multivitamin for teens for two reasons: First, it has all of the essential vitamins and nutrients your teen needs to support bone health, brain health, immune system function and muscle growth. Vitamins A, D3, E, folate, iron and zinc all work together to support your child’s immune system, while omega-3 DHA is a key to your child’s brain function. Plus, omega-3 fatty acids are a nutrient they are likely to miss if they don’t eat fish or dark, leafy greens. Similarly, vitamins D3, K2, B12 and A all work together to strengthen bones and promote muscle growth.
The second thing we love about Ritual Essential for Teens is the philosophy “less is more.” According to Ritual, most people actually are getting enough of certain vitamins like calcium and vitamin C from their diet alone. Their multivitamins are formulated to fill in nutrition gaps, which is why you won’t see excessive amounts of any vitamin in Ritual’s Essential for Teens multivitamin. Plus, there are no preservatives, fillers or additives that you’ll find in other teen multivitamins.
For more information on this popular vitamin brand, check out our in-depth Ritual review!
Pros:
- Formula includes 10 essential nutrients
- Vegan capsule
- Free of any artificial additives or preservatives
- Delayed release beadlets may increase absorption
Cons:
- Subscription only
Best Vegan Multivitamin for Kids: Garden of Life MyKind Organics Kids Multi Vegan Gummies
Garden of Life
Key features and specs:
- Dose: 4 gummies
- Servings per container: 30
- Key vitamins and minerals: Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin K, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, thiamin, niacin, zinc, selenium, riboflavin, manganese, chromium, pantothenic acid
- Form: Gummy
- Age recommendation: Children ages 4+
If you’re looking for a great organic kids multivitamin, then look no further than these vegan fruit-flavored gummies from Garden of Life. The ingredients list on these gummies contains raw iron-rich food that can actually be pronounced like lemon, strawberry, raspberry, parsley and cauliflower—all organic—to name a few. And unlike some other children’s multivitamins, these aren’t coated in sugar, but instead a light dusting of organic rice powder. These are vegan, kosher, gluten-free, and free from artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors.
For more information about this popular vitamin brand, check out our in-depth Garden of Life vitamins review!
Pros:
- An ingredient list you can actually read with fruits and veggies (and no fillers)
- Vegan
- USDA-certified organic
Cons:
- Rice powder coating may not appeal to some kids
Best Magnesium Multivitamin for Kids: Natural Vitality Kids CALM Sweet Citrus Gummies
Natural VItality
Key features and specs:
- Dose: 1 gummy (ages 4-12) or 4 gummies (ages 13+) daily
- Servings per container: 15 or 60
- Key vitamins and minerals: Magnesium
- Form: Gummy
- Age recommendation: Ages 4+
Magnesium is important for the nervous system, blood pressure regulation and growing healthy bones. Kids can get magnesium through foods like leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains, but it can be hard for picky eaters to get enough of this important micronutrient. That’s where a multivitamin comes in handy.
Healthy children between the ages of four and eight need approximately 110 milligrams of magnesium per day, and those aged nine and up need roughly 350 milligrams. These sweet citrus gummies from Natural Vitality will help give your child a boost since they contain nearly 80 percent of the recommended daily value for children ages 13 and up.
Note that excessive magnesium consumption can be toxic. As with all dietary supplements, call poison control if your child eats too many magnesium gummies (since they look and taste like gummy fruit snacks).
Pros:
- Yummy citrus flavor
- Aids in muscle, brain, heart and nervous system health
- Doesn’t contain artificial flavors
Cons:
- Missing other essential nutrients
Best Chewable Multivitamin for Kids: SmartyPants Kids Multivitamin + Omega-3s
SmartyPants
Key features and specs:
- Dose: 4 gummies daily
- Servings per container: 30
- Key vitamins and minerals: Vitamin D and omega-3s
- Form: Gummies
- Age recommendation: Ages 4+
SmartyPants Kids Multi and Omegas is a gummy multivitamin that comes in three flavors: Lemon, Orange and Strawberry Banana. Reviewers rave about their child’s response to the flavor. One anonymous Amazon reviewer wrote, “My four-year-old son is very picky and doesn't like many textures or flavors…but he brings SmartyPants to me and asks to take it daily. Says it takes yummy. Thanks for an eased mom's mind!”
SmartyPants has two advantages over other kid's multivitamins: vitamin D and omega-3s. Omega-3s are fatty acids that are essential for brain and eye development. There are three main types of omega-3s: ALA, EPA and DHA. While there is a recommended daily dose of ALA (0.9 grams minimum per day for children ages four to eight), there is not a recommended minimum dose of EPA and DHA omega-3. However, one study found that supplementing with 450 milligrams or more daily may improve cognitive development in adolescent children. SmartyPants Kids Multi contains less than that dose at 100 milligrams of EPA and DHA omega-3s, but it may be enough to supplement a well-balanced diet.
This multivitamin also contains 100 percent daily value (DV) of vitamin D, which is essential for bone and muscle development during adolescence. Vitamin D also reduces inflammation and helps your immune system function. One study found that supplementing with 10-50 micrograms of vitamin D per day is safe and may support your child’s bone development.
Pros:
- Contains 100 percent DV of vitamin D, which is essential for muscle and bone development
- The formula is NSF-certified for purity, IGEN certified non-GMO and won the Clean Label Project Purity Award
- Reviewers say their kids love the taste
Cons:
- Contains three grams of added sugar per dose, which some parents may want to avoid
Best Liquid Multivitamin for Kids: ChildLife Multivitamin and Minerals
ChildLife
Key features and specs:
- Dose: 1 teaspoon (ages 6 months to 1 year old), 2 teaspoons (ages 1-3) and 3 teaspoons (ages 4+) daily
- Servings per container: 16, 24, 47
- Key vitamins and minerals: Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D3, vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, biotin, vitamin B12, zinc, sodium, potassium, manganese, selenium, iodine
- Form: Liquid
- Age recommendation: 6 months and older
When it comes to easily consumable multivitamins for kids, a liquid supplement offers up a great alternative to gummies, tablets and chewables if those just aren’t your kid’s thing. Free from common allergens including peanuts, tree nuts and shellfish, ChildLife’s Multivitamin and Minerals provides a plethora of vitamins and nutrients that include vitamins A, B and C in addition to folate, biotin and zinc. Whether you mix it in with your child’s favorite drink or give it to them straight, they’ll be receiving a hearty amount of nutrients with a natural orange and mango flavor. Just remember to shake the bottle well before use and to keep it refrigerated upon opening to maintain freshness.
Pros:
- Gluten-free
- Can be given to kids ages six months and older
- Contains no artificial colors
Cons:
- Has three to eight grams of sugar, depending on the serving
Best Powder Multivitamin for Kids: Garden of Life Kids Multivitamin Powder
Garden of Life
Key features and specs:
- Dose: 1 scoop
- Servings per container: 30
- Key vitamins and minerals: Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, zinc, selenium, manganese, chromium
- Form: Powder
- Age recommendation: 1-3 years old
Made with 15 essential vitamins and minerals, this multivitamin powder from Garden of Life is certified organic and promotes healthy growth and bone development. It’s recommended for children ages one and older who are starting to eat foods and may need some extra vitamins whether that’s mixed in with their favorite foods or drinks. Some of the ingredients on the label include organic spinach, apple, kale and cabbage. Keep in mind that powders (like this and protein powder) can be a choking hazard if they are not stirred thoroughly, so you’ll want to make sure you’ve thoroughly mixed it in before serving your child.
Pros:
- No artificial ingredients or additives
- Non-GMO
- Can be mixed into juice or food
Cons:
- Can’t be consumed on its own
- Chocking hazard if not mixed well enough
How to Choose the Best Multivitamin for Your Kid
When it comes to choosing the best multivitamin for your kid, the decision should be made based on the dietary needs of your child and recommendations from your pediatrician.
How We Chose the Best Kids Multivitamins
In order to find the best multivitamin for kids, we took several factors into consideration. This included things like what purpose a specific multivitamin was created for, the minerals, nutrients and other ingredients found in certain supplements and what bodily functions these ingredients are designed to support, specifically as they relate to kids. We also chose based on additional factors including cost and dietary restrictions and then spoke with experts who helped us choose the multivitamins in this list.
Multivitamins for Kids FAQs
At what age should kids start taking multivitamins?
In general, there isn’t a specific age that kids should start taking multivitamins. If the situation arises where a child may need multivitamins, you can discuss it with your pediatrician to decide on an appropriate treatment plan.
Are multivitamins for kids safe?
According to Alhassani, kids multivitamins are very safe when taken at the doses recommended on the bottle. With that in mind, too much of certain vitamins for kids can be dangerous. “Megadoses of vitamins like A, C or D can actually cause toxicity so parents should always keep track of how much their children consume,” says Alhassani.
Additionally, Dr. Hina Talib, MD, pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist at the Atria Institute in New York, adds that giving a child too much of a specific vitamin can lead to nausea, rashes and headaches in some cases. Be sure to consult a medical professional before beginning a multivitamin regimen for your child and don’t forget to take into account what nutrients and vitamins your child is getting from their whole foods, too.
Do kids show signs of vitamin deficiencies?
According to Alhassani, “Vitamin D deficiency can lead to poor bone development including rickets and muscle weakness. Vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, poor vision and immune dysfunction. Too little Vitamin E can result in poor neurological function including diminished reflexes. Vitamin K deficiency can lead to [a] bleeding disorder. Vitamin C deficiency can cause scurvy, bleeding in the gums, anemia and brittle bones.”
Talib adds that iron deficiency isn’t uncommon among kids and menstruating teenagers. “Pediatricians do screen children in the highest risk age groups (toddlers and teens) for this and we decide to treat this with iron supplementation when it is needed, not assuming it is needed.”
Still, other underlying issues could cause similar symptoms, too. If you notice your child is sick, visit your doctor as the first step to decide the best course of action.
Do kids actually need a multivitamin?
Kids with balanced, well-rounded diets likely don’t need a multivitamin. However, there are some exceptions. “They are really just needed for children who have specialized diets (like vegans) or certain diseases that predispose them to vitamin deficiencies like inflammatory bowel disease,” says Alhassani. “Vitamin D supplements can support bone development. Iron supplements in breastfed babies can reduce risk of anemia. Otherwise, there are not a lot of explicit benefits from many of the kids' multivitamins stocking the aisles.”
What it boils down to is whether or not your child will benefit from a daily multivitamin. If there are nutritional gaps in their diet, you pediatrician may recommend a multivitamin but if your child is healthy and has no nutrients, vitamins or minerals missing from their diets, they likely do not need one.
Do doctors recommend multivitamins for kids?
In most cases, doctors do not recommend multivitamins for kids unless they present with specific deficiencies. Children can get many of the essential vitamins and minerals they need from whole foods which typically include fruits and vegetables. With that in mind, Alhassani says that many packaged foods advertise that they are “fortified with vitamins and minerals” but kids are still much better off eating more whole foods and less processed foods for their overall growth and nutritional needs.
However, as mentioned above there are some cases where doctors would recommend multivitamins for children. “For example, some children on the autism spectrum only eat a few specific food items which [can predispose] them to vitamin deficiencies,” says Alhassani. “Other children may be on vegan diets and might need supplements to ensure adequate vitamin and mineral intake.”
Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing the best multivitamin for your kids, you’ll want to consider what their diets look like, if your child is a picky eater or has certain dietary restrictions that may increase the need for multivitamins and speak with a pediatrician before making any adjustments such as adding a daily multivitamin to their routines. Based on your consultation with a doctor, you should be able to come up with a plan to augment your child’s diet with more vitamin-rich whole foods or decide to add in a multivitamin.
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