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The best vitamins for kids contain essential nutrients to help them grow and develop. A well-balanced diet provides the ideal source of these vitamins and minerals, but some children may need supplements.
This article outlines the best vitamins for kids, including the best multivitamin 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. This article also suggests when children may 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. People can speak with a pediatrician if they have concerns about a child’s nutritional needs.
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 on price, form, age range, and more.
| Price | Servings | Price per dose | Form | Age range (years) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MegaFood | $13.99 | 30 | $0.46 | tablet | 5+ |
| Nordic Naturals | around $28 | 96 | $0.29 | liquid | 1 to 6 |
| SmartyPants | $24 | 30 | $0.80 | gummy | 4+ |
| Renzo’s | around $20 | 45 to 90 | $0.28 to $0.57 | melty tab | 2+ |
| OLLY Kids Immunity | $13.99 | 25 to 50 | $0.27 to $0.55 | gummy | 2+ |
Medical News Today chooses vitamins and supplements that meet the following criteria:
- Ingredients: MNTchooses 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.
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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 | Sources | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium | • healthy bones | • ages 1 to 3 years: 700 milligrams (mg) • ages 4 to 8 years: 1,000 mg per day • ages 9 to 18 years: 1,300 mg per day | • dairy, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese • leafy green vegetables • pulses • nuts • breakfast cereal and juice fortified with calcium |
| Vitamin D | • strong bones • prevents rickets | • ages 0 to 1 year: 400 international units (IU) or 10 micrograms (mcg) • ages 1 to 18 years: 600 IU or 15 mcg per day | • sunlight • milk, breakfast cereal, juice, and margarine fortified with vitamin D • fatty fish, such as tuna, mackerel, and salmon • fish liver oil • beef liver • egg yolks • cheese |
| Iron | • helps red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body | • ages 0 to 6 months: 0.27 mg • ages 7 to 12 months: 11 mg per day • ages 1 to 3 years: 7 mg per day • ages 4 to 8 years: 10 mg per day • ages 9 to 13 years: 8 mg per day • ages 14 to 18 years: 11 to 15 mg per day, depending on child’s sex | • red meat, including beef, pork, and lamb • fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel • poultry, such as turkey and chicken • eggs • cereal fortified with iron • dark green leafy vegetables • beans and lentils • tofu |
| Vitamin C | • healthy immune system function • healthy skin • healthy bones • healthy blood vessels | • ages 0 to 6 months: 40 mg • ages 7 to 12 months: 50 mg per day • ages 1 to 3 years: 15 mg per day • ages 4 to 8 years: 25 mg per day • ages 9 to 13 years: 45 mg per day • ages 14 to 18 years: 65 to 75 mg per day, depending on child’s sex | • citrus fruit, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruit • kiwifruit • strawberries • mango • tomatoes and tomato juice • bell peppers • potato |
| 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 to 900 mcg RAE, depending on child’s sex | • vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach • dairy products • liver |
Further resources
For more in-depth resources about vitamins, minerals, and supplements, visit our dedicated hub.
When looking for a dietary supplement, people need to choose one with the recommended daily amounts of the necessary nutrients. Most multivitamin and mineral formulas contain nutrients in balanced amounts. People also need to avoid giving a child a supplement containing nutrient amounts that exceed the recommended guidelines.
A person needs to consult a healthcare professional before giving a child vitamins. They can check the product’s specifications and review this information with a physician before using it.
The vitamins that kids need the most will depend on a range of factors. These include the vitamins that 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.
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.