The best vitamins for kids contain essential nutrients to help them grow and develop. A well-balanced diet is the best source of these vitamins and minerals, but some children may need supplements.
This article outlines the best vitamins for kids and how they compare. It describes the vitamins and minerals children need for healthy development and explains how children can get these from their diet.
Alongside the kids’ vitamins and multivitamins, this article also includes various options to suit different people’s needs and preferences. There are multivitamins with iron and plant-based multivitamins, multivitamin gummies, and dissolving vitamins. This article also suggests when children’s vitamins may be appropriate if they need supplements.
Children should only take vitamins and supplements under adult supervision. People always need to store vitamins out of children’s reach.
The best kids’ multivitamins or vitamins will ultimately depend on each child’s diet and health. If people have concerns about a child’s nutritional needs, they may wish to speak with a pediatrician.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
The following table compares the best vitamins for children in this article in terms of price, form, age range, and more.
| Price | Servings | Price per serving | Form | Age range (years) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MegaFood | $13.99 | 30 | $0.46 | tablet | 5+ |
| Nordic Naturals | around $28 | 96 | $0.29 | liquid | 1 to 6 |
| SmartyPants | $19.81 | 30 | $0.66 | gummy | 4+ |
| Renzo’s | $18.99 | 30 to 120 | $0.16 to $0.47 | melty tab | 2+ |
| Olly Kids Immunity | $13.99 | 25 to 50 | $0.27 to $0.55 | gummy | 2+ |
| Carlson Labs Baby’s D3 | $14.31 | 365 | $0.03 | liquid | infants to 12 months |
| Ritual Essential | $37 | 30 | $1.23 | capsule | 13 to 17 years old |
Medical News Today chooses vitamins and supplements that meet the following criteria:
- Ingredients: MNT chooses products containing safe and high quality ingredients that are clearly labeled. They should also confirm they are free from pesticides, heavy metals, and mold.
- Dose: MNT chooses products that must clearly state the dose of each nutrient in the supplement.
- Serving size: MNT selects products in which manufacturers recommend a safe dosage.
- Third-party testing: MNT chooses products that must undergo third-party testing for contaminants by an ISO 17025-compliant laboratory.
- Available certificate of analysis: MNT chooses companies that demonstrate transparency and share a product’s certificate of analysis (COA) following receipt of its third-party lab results.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more.
A child may benefit from taking vitamins if they follow a restrictive diet, cannot adequately absorb nutrients, or are a picky eater.
Here are some tips when looking for a dietary supplement:
- Choose one that provides the recommended daily amounts of the necessary nutrients. Most multivitamin and mineral formulas contain nutrients in balanced amounts.
- Avoid giving a child a supplement containing nutrient amounts that exceed the recommended guidelines.
- Where possible, opt for a multivitamin with minimal added sugar and artificial additives.
- Ensure the vitamins are age-appropriate. While many multivitamins are available for kids 4 years and older, there are a few options specifically formulated for younger toddlers. Additionally, the product should not contain doses that exceed the daily nutrient needs of children.
- Make sure the product has gone through third-party testing and that the contents match the label.
It is best to consult a healthcare professional, pediatrician, or registered dietitian before giving a child vitamins. They can check the product’s specifications and review this information with the individual before using it.
Children benefit from a diet containing all the essential food groups for proper growth and development. Planning a child’s meal to include all the necessary macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals can give them a healthy start in life.
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, toddlers and older children who eat a well-balanced diet generally do not need vitamin and mineral supplements, such as toddler vitamins or multivitamins for kids. However, children at risk of nutrient deficiencies may require a supplement.
For example, children who eat a plant-based diet, such as a vegan diet, which does not include all essential food groups, may need to take vitamin supplements such as vitamin B12. A person can ask a dietitian for advice on planning plant-based meals and snacks for their child.
Children with celiac disease often need additional vitamins and minerals in the form of supplements, as they cannot absorb nutrients efficiently due to damage to the gut lining. A doctor can advise people on the best type of supplement to provide.
The table below explains some of the essential vitamins and minerals that children need:
| What it is for | Recommended amounts per day | |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | • healthy bones | • ages 0 to 6 months: • ages 7 to 12 months: 260 mg • ages 1 to 3 years: 700 mg • ages 4 to 8 years: 1,000 mg • ages 9 to 18 years: 1,300 mg |
| Vitamin D | • strong bones • prevents rickets | • ages 0 to 1 year: • ages 1 to 18 years: 15 mcg |
| Iron | • helps red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body | • ages 0 to 6 months: • ages 7 to 12 months: 11 mg • ages 1 to 3 years: 7 mg • ages 4 to 8 years: 10 mg • ages 9 to 13 years: 8 mg • ages 14 to 18 years: 11 or 15 mg, depending on sex |
| Vitamin C | • healthy immune system function • healthy skin • healthy bones • healthy blood vessels | • ages 0 to 6 months: • ages 7 to 12 months: 50 mg • ages 1 to 3 years: 15 mg • ages 4 to 8 years: 25 mg • ages 9 to 13 years: 45 mg • ages 14 to 18 years: 65 or 75 mg, depending on sex |
| Vitamin A | • growth • tissue repair • healthy skin • vision | • ages 0 to 6 months: • ages 7 to 12 months: 500 mcg RAE • ages 1 to 3 years: 300 mcg RAE • ages 4 to 8 years: 400 mcg RAE • ages 9 to 13 years: 600 mcg RAE • ages 14 to 18 years: 700 or 900 mcg RAE, depending on sex |
Further resources
For more in-depth resources about vitamins, minerals, and supplements, visit our dedicated hub.
The vitamins that kids need the most will depend on a range of factors. These include the vitamins their diet already provides, as a well-balanced diet is the ideal source of vitamins for children.
Some children, such as those who follow a vegan diet, may need vitamin supplements, such as vitamin B12, as they do not eat the food groups that provide this vitamin naturally.
Other children may have medical conditions, such as celiac disease, that prevent them from being able to absorb vitamins properly. They may need to take vitamin supplements to help.
A person can consult a healthcare professional about their children’s diets to determine the vitamins they need the most in supplement form, if any.
Vitamins are an essential part of growth and development for kids. For example, calcium ensures that children have healthy bones, and vitamin C helps with the development of a healthy immune system.
If a child is eating a well-balanced diet, they may not need vitamin supplements, as they may already be getting all the necessary vitamins through their food. A person can ask their doctor about vitamins for their children.
The best vitamin for kids will depend on the child. The vitamins in this article may be suitable options for children who need specific vitamins if, for example, they have a health condition.
People can speak to a medical professional to help them decide which is the best vitamin for their child, if necessary.
Different vitamins have different effects on the body. People should ensure that their child is eating a well-balanced diet that provides all the different vitamins they need to develop healthily.
If a person is unsure what vitamin to give their child, they may speak with a doctor.
First Day is a brand that offers a daily multivitamin for children and vitamins for people of different ages. The company’s website claims that First Day multivitamin gummies can help children get nine micronutrients that they might otherwise lack.
A person needs to speak to their doctor before giving their child vitamins, including First Day vitamins, to make sure it is safe to do so.
According to a 2022 study, vitamin A is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies affecting children under 5 years old. The authors found that the types of nutritional deficiencies children experience have links to the economic conditions of their country, agricultural practices, and health education.
A well-balanced diet should provide the vitamins and minerals necessary to support a child’s growth and development. However, children with a limited diet and those less able to absorb or make certain nutrients by themselves may require nutritional supplements.
A child’s nutrient requirements will also differ according to their age and sex. People can check supplement labels carefully to ensure they provide the appropriate nutrients for their children.
Parents and caregivers can consult a doctor or dietitian for advice about suitable supplements.