The 6 Best Probiotics for Kids in 2024, According to a Nutrition Coach

Probiotics help support digestive health and immunity. This review presents our picks for the best probiotics for children in 2024.

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As a parent, you want the best for your child’s well-being, and that includes a healthy gut and strong immune system. Probiotics are the good bacteria found in the body that help us absorb nutrients and fight off infections. Much like adults, children typically get all the probiotics they need from food sources. But in some cases, a probiotic supplement can help fill the nutritional gaps in your child’s diet.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), probiotics have been shown to be modestly effective in treating and preventing certain gastrointestinal issues in healthy children. However, there are also safety concerns with the use of probiotics in children who are immunocompromised or chronically ill. Be sure to consult your child’s pediatrician to determine if a probiotic supplement is appropriate for them.

"Children may benefit from the use of a probiotic supplement to help fill in any dietary gaps that may be present from the foods and drinks they consume,” says Pete Nastasi, a certified nutrition coach, and owner of Nastasi Nutrition. “Probiotics can also be helpful for children who suffer from diarrhea or constipation, or who need help after a bout of antibiotics to regrow their gut microbiome."

In this article, we’ll share our picks of the best probiotics for kids in 2024 to support your little one’s gut health and immune system.

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 healthcare provider before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

Our Picks for the Best Probiotics for Kids:

• Best Overall Probiotic for Kids: Renew Life Kids Tummy Gummy
• Best Chewable Probiotic For Kids: Garden of Life Organic Kids Probiotics
• Best Probiotic For Kids With Allergies: Renew Life Kids Probiotic Chewable Tablets
• Best On-the-Go Probiotic For Kids Culturelle Kids Purely Probiotics
• Best Probiotic Yogurt For Kids: GoGo squeeZ yogurtZ
• Best Probiotic for Kids with Vitamins: Olly Kids Multi + Probiotic

Best Overall Probiotic for Kids: Renew Life Kids Tummy Gummy

Renew Life

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value: Not established
• Probiotics per serving: 10 milligrams
• Nutrition facts: Five calories, two grams carbohydrates (one gram sugar, one gram dietary fiber), five milligrams sodium
• Flavors: Raspberry
• Certifications: Gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, non-GMO, vegan
• Subscription: Your choice of a one-, two-, three- or six-month shipping frequency, 10% savings
• Key ingredients: Probiotic blend
• Sweeteners: Sugar
• Price per serving: $0.50
• Type: Gummy
• Age range: Children 4 years and older
• CFU count: 1 billion
• Dose/dose per container: 30
• Strains: Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus subtilis
• Ingredients: Inulin (from chicory root), sugar, natural flavors, pectin, citric acid, sodium citrate, color added (black carrot juice extract), organic sunflower oil with carnauba wax, corn starch

Renew Life is a major supplement manufacturer within the gut health industry that's dedicated to creating products backed by competent and reliable scientific evidence. Designed for children ages four and up, these raspberry-flavored gummies combine two clinically studied probiotic strains with prebiotic fibers to support digestive health and a robust immune system. The company recommends this probiotic supplement only for children who can easily swallow chewy foods and advises that children should be seated and under adult supervision when consuming this product. Multiple parent reviewers on its website highlighted the fact that their kids enjoyed the taste of these probiotic gummies, making them easy to administer to even the pickiest of eaters.

Pros:

• Has a delicious taste many kids will love
• Budget-friendly
• Third-party tested

Cons:

• Only available in one flavor

Best Chewable Probiotic For Kids: Garden of Life Organic Kids Probiotics

Garden of Life

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value: Not established
• Probiotics per serving: 71 milligrams
• Nutrition facts: 5 calories, 1 gram carbohydrates (<1 gram sugar), 30 milligrams vitamin C, 10 micrograms vitamin D (as D3)
• Flavors: Watermelon
• Certifications: USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free
• Subscription: Your choice of a one-, two-, three-, four-, five-, or six-month shipping frequency with 5-10% savings
• Key ingredients: Kids probiotic blend, organic prebiotic fiber blend (organic acacia fiber, organic whole cranberry, organic emblic extract)
• Sweeteners: Organic dextrose, organic tapioca maltodextrin
• Price per serving: $0.65
• Type: Chewable tablet
• Age range: Children 4 years and older
• CFU count: 5 billion
• Dose/dose per container: 30
• Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum
• Ingredients: Organic dextrose, organic tapioca maltodextrin, organic sunflower lecithin, organic palm oil, organic guar gum, organic watermelon flavor

When it comes to creating nutritional supplements, Garden of Life prioritizes whole food ingredients, traceability, third-party certifications and accountability. Every bottle of Organic Kids Probiotic is made in a facility that meets current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) standards and is third-party tested. There are 14 strains of probiotics in this watermelon-flavored chewable, providing a diverse assortment of good bacteria to your child’s gut. It also contains 310 milligrams of an organic prebiotic fiber blend and zero grams of added sugar. Plus, it has earned a 4.8/5-star rating on iHerb.com, with many reviewers stating the flavor was a hit with their kids.

Pros:

• Formulated by David Perlmutter, M.D., an expert in the human microbiome
• Shelf stable, no refrigeration required
• Certified organic by QCS

Cons:

• Only available in one flavor

Best Probiotic For Kids With Allergies: Renew Life Kids Probiotic Chewable Tablets

Renew Life

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value: Not established
• Probiotics per serving: 3 billion CFU per serving
• Nutrition facts: Five calories, less than one gram carbohydrate
• Flavors: Berry
• Certifications: Gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free
• Subscription: Your choice of a one-, two-, three- or six-month shipping frequency, 10% savings
• Key ingredients: Kids probiotic culture blend
• Sweeteners: Xylitol
• Price per serving: $0.67
• Type: Chewable tablet
• Age range: Children 2 years and older
• CFU count: 3 billion
• Dose/dose per container: 30
• Strains: Bacillus coagulans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium breve, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus plantarum
• Ingredients: Xylitol, stearic acid, natural flavors, citric acid, silicon dioxide, malic acid, magnesium stearate, monk fruit extract

Renew Life’s Kids Probiotic Chewable Tablets were designed for children two years and older and come in a delicious berry flavor your kids will enjoy. Each serving contains three billion live cultures of bacteria to reduce occasional digestive upsets and promote immune health. It has a 4.4/5-star rating on Renew Life’s official website, and several reviewers say that this supplement helped keep their child regular and reduced instances of constipation.

Pros:

• Contains six scientifically studied probiotic strains
• Formulated by microbiologists
• Sugar-free

Cons:

• Contains xylitol, which isn’t safe for dogs
• Doesn’t contain prebiotics

Best On-the-Go Probiotic For Kids: Culturelle Kids Purely Probiotics

iHerb

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value: Not established
• Probiotics per serving: 23 milligrams
• Nutrition facts: Five calories, one gram carbohydrate
• Flavors: Unflavored
• Certifications: Gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free
• Subscription: Your choice of a one-, two-, three-, four-, five- or six-month shipping frequency, 5% savings
• Key ingredients: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
• Sweeteners: Mannitol
• Price per serving: $1.03
• Type: Powder
• Age range: Children 1 year and older
• CFU count: 5 billion
• Dose/dose per container: 30
• Strains: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
• Ingredients: Mannitol, inulin

Culturelle prides itself on being the #1 Pediatrician Recommended Brand. Its Kids Purely Probiotic supplement is an unflavored probiotic powder that mixes easily into cool water or food. Each serving provides five billion colony forming units (CFUs) of L. rhamnosus GG (LGG)—one of the most researched probiotic strains in children. It’s designed to help boost your child’s natural immune defenses and support digestive health in children as young as one year old. Reviewers mostly praise the ease of administering this supplement to their little ones who are picky eaters since it has no flavor and can be disguised in food.

Pros:

• Allergen-friendly—free from wheat, milk, eggs, tree nuts and peanuts
• Naturally sourced LGG
• Contains inulin—a prebiotic fiber

Cons:

• Only contains one probiotic strain

Best Probiotic Yogurt For Kids: Gogo squeeZ yogurtZ

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value: Not established
• Probiotics per serving: Unspecified
• Nutrition facts: 90 calories, two grams fat, five milligrams cholesterol, 60 milligrams sodium, 15 grams carbohydrates (14 grams sugar), four grams protein, two micrograms vitamin D, 148 milligrams calcium, 186 milligrams potassium
• Flavors: Strawberry, Banana, Berry, Blueberry
• Certifications: Certified Gluten-Free, Kosher Certified, BPA free packaging
• Subscription: N/A
• Key ingredients: Cultured Reduced Fat Milk, S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus and L. paracasei, L. rhamnosus
• Sweeteners: Cane sugar
• Price per serving: $0.75
• Type: Yogurt smoothie
• Age range: Unspecified
• CFU count: Unspecified
• Dose/dose per container: 10
• Strains: S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. paracasei, L. rhamnosus
• Ingredients: Strawberry: Cultured Reduced Fat Milk, Cane Sugar, Strawberry Puree Concentrate, Fruit Pectin, Tapioca Starch, Natural Flavors, Vitamin D2. Banana: Cultured Reduced Fat Milk, Cane Sugar, Banana Puree Concentrate, Fruit Pectin, Tapioca Starch, Natural Flavors, Vitamin D2

GoGo squeeZ is known for its easily consumable applesauce and smoothies for kids. Its yogurtZ product for kids is an easy sippable yogurt your child can enjoy without a spoon. This is one of our best probiotics for kids because it has official certifications from two different organizations. Each serving provides six probiotic strains to promote bacterial diversity within the gut microbiome. Plus, it contains protein, calcium, vitamin D and potassium to support your child’s rapidly growing bones and muscles. Many reviewers on Amazon commented on this product’s packaging, stating it was the perfect size to fit into their child’s lunch box or snack bag.

Pros:

• No preservatives
• Good source of calcium and vitamin D
• Conveniently packaged

Cons:

• Contains 14 grams of sugar

Best Probiotic for Kids with Vitamins: Olly Kids Multi + Probiotic

Olly

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value: Not established
• Probiotics per serving: 16 milligrams
• Nutrition facts: 10 calories, two grams carbohydrate (one gram sugar), 150 micrograms vitamin A, 15 milligrams vitamin C, 10 micrograms vitamin D, 3.75 milligrams vitamin E, 0.5 milligrams vitamin B6, 60 micrograms folic acid, 12 micrograms vitamin B12, 15 micrograms biotin, 2.5 milligrams pantothenic acid, five milligrams choline, 15 micrograms iodine, 0.75 milligrams zinc
• Flavors: Yum Berry Punch
• Certifications: NSF Certified, Certified B Corporation
• Subscription: Your choice of one-, two- or three-month shipping frequency, 15% savings
• Key ingredients: Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856
• Sweeteners: Cane sugar, glucose syrup
• Price per serving: $0.40
• Type: Gummy
• Age range: Children 2 years and older
• CFU count: 250 million
• Dose/dose per container: 70
• Strains: Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856
• Ingredients: Cane sugar, glucose syrup, gelatin, coloring from purple carrot juice, natural flavors, citric acid, lactic acid, mixed tocopherols (antioxidant), tartaric acid

Olly is a Certified B Corporation, meaning it has been designated as a business that meets high standards of transparency and accountability. Olly Kids Multi + Probiotic is a two-in-one supplement that provides both probiotics and an assortment of essential vitamins. It’s designed to help support your child’s digestive system and strengthen their immune system. It has a 4.8/5-star rating on Olly’s official website and reviewers seem to love the convenience of having a daily probiotic and multivitamin placed into one supplement.

Related: The Best Multivitamins for Kids

Pros:

• NSF-Certified
• Contains essential vitamins and minerals

Cons:

• Only contains one probiotic strain

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics are beneficial live microorganisms that help the body digest food, absorb nutrients and eliminate bad bacteria. Although they are commonly referred to as ‘good gut bacteria,” this is a limited characterization. Probiotics also encompass fungi and yeasts and are found in other areas outside of the gut, like the mouth, urinary tract, skin and lungs.

Benefits of Probiotic Supplements For Kids

Human and animal studies have shown probiotics to have a variety of promising health benefits, including the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, the treatment of infant colic, the treatment of atopic eczema and relief from various digestive issues, like constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Probiotic Precautions

Although probiotics are considered generally safe to consume, in some instances they can cause unwanted side effects. The potential side effects of probiotic supplements include gas, bloating and diarrhea.

Additionally, probiotics are not suitable for all children, including premature infants (with exceptions), children with severe illnesses or compromised immune systems, and those who recently had surgery.

It’s vitally important that you speak with your child’s pediatrician before administering a probiotic supplement. A qualified health professional can help you determine whether a probiotic is suitable for your child and identify specific strains that may be beneficial for their unique health needs.

How to Choose the Best Probiotic Supplements For Your Kids

As a general rule, it’s best to choose a probiotic supplement that is designated to be suitable for your child’s age. This article shares our picks of the best probiotics based on broad criteria like third-party certification, affordability and customer testimonials. But ultimately, the safest way to choose the best probiotic for your child is to consult their pediatrician.

What to Avoid in a Probiotic Supplement For Kids

Anyone with kids knows how challenging it can be to get them to take vitamins or eat certain foods. With this in mind, many probiotic supplements for children are designed to be candy-like, with a texture and flavor kids will enjoy. A consequence of this, however, is that some probiotics contain high amounts of sugar, corn syrup and other ingredients with no nutritional value, like dyes, artificial flavors and fillers. In some instances, probiotic supplements with these additives may do more harm than good to your child’s health.

How We Chose the Best Probiotic Supplements For Kids

We chose our picks for the best probiotics for kids using a combination of criteria, including: product quality and safety, reputation of the manufacturer, third-party certification status, dietitian reviews, affordability and customer reviews. We also favored supplements that were organic, contained low amounts of sugar and were free of artificial flavors, pesticides and preservatives.

Alternatives to Probiotic Supplements For Kids

In most instances, children can get the probiotics they need from their diet. Many foods and fermented food products provide a good source of probiotics. Here are some of the most popular probiotic foods:

• Soft cheeses
• Yogurt
• Buttermilk
• Fermented sauerkraut
• Kimchi
• Fermented pickles
• Tempeh
• Sourdough bread
• Kefir
• Kombucha
• Olives
• Apple cider vinegar
• Green peas

Probiotics for Kids FAQs

Should a child take probiotics?

This depends completely on your child’s specific health status. Although probiotic supplements for kids are considered generally safe to consume, they aren’t suitable for every child. Many children do not need probiotic supplements to support their overall health. 

Is it good for kids to take probiotics daily?

A daily probiotic supplement can act as an insurance policy for picky eaters or children with restrictive diets who may not be getting enough probiotics from food sources. However, probiotics aren’t suitable for all children, so consult your child’s pediatrician beforehand.

Do gummy probiotics for kids work?

A gummy probiotic works in the same way as a chewable tablet or probiotic powder. Albeit, the amount of viable probiotics that reach the gut may be limited, as supplements of all forms are susceptible to breakdown by acids found in the digestive tract.

Should children take prebiotics or probiotics?

The combination of probiotics and prebiotics has been shown to be beneficial for both adults and children. Prebiotics help probiotics flourish in the gut and perform their duties.

Do probiotics help kids not get sick?

In general, probiotics help promote a strong immune system, but probiotic supplements are not currently approved by the FDA as a preventative treatment for any illnesses.

Takeaway: Are Child Probiotics Worth It?

A child probiotic may support your child’s digestive and immune health. In most instances, children can get the probiotics they need from the food they eat. However, a probiotic supplement may be beneficial to children who are picky eaters or on restrictive diets. Before administering a probiotic supplement to your child, consult their pediatrician to ensure it’s suitable for their health needs. 

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.