Best Kids Vitamins

If you’ve noticed an increase in supplements for kids over the past couple of years, you’re not imagining things. Children’s health product sales increased by 18.5% in 2021, over double that of the adult market, which only grew 7.5% in comparison.1 As sales boom, you’ll often find that more and more new products — all claiming to be better than the rest — start popping up across the market. With so many options available, how can you determine which is right for your family’s unique needs?

For this guide, we did the research, tested the products ourselves, and laid out all the pros, cons, and details of the best kids' vitamins of 2025 to help you find the right product for you and your children.

If you’re in a hurry, see our summary of recommendations below. And for more information, read on to see how we came to our decisions.

Over the past two decades, Innerbody Research has helped tens of millions of readers make more informed decisions involving staying healthy and living healthier lifestyles.

For our guide to the best kids’ vitamins, we spent over 75 hours investigating the competitive landscape, conducting thorough research on the contenders (including combing through 60+ scientific studies, journals, and other literature), interacting with customer service, purchasing the products, and testing them ourselves — all to provide you with the most up-to-date and accurate information and recommendations. As the kids’ vitamin market and research on vitamins evolve, so will the content of this guide.

Additionally, like all health-related content on this website, this review was thoroughly vetted by one or more members of our Medical Review Board for accuracy.

When evaluating kids’ vitamins, we judged them based on criteria that we felt were most important to parents or guardians in search of vitamins for their children: the products’ safety, effectiveness, cost, convenience, and taste.

Let’s take a look at which of our picks came out on top in each category.

Safety

Winner: First Day

While all of our top picks undergo rigorous third-party testing for safety, purity, and potency, First Day exceeds these fundamental measures in a couple of ways. For one thing, First Day notes that its products are tested “at least three times” throughout the manufacturing process for purity and potency. On top of that, its gummies (like Llama Naturals’ gummies) are made in Germany, where supplements are regulated as strictly as food and are subjected to random sample checks.2

For another, out of our top picks, First Day is the only one not to have any nutrient hit or surpass 100% of the recommended Daily Value (DV), which falls right in line with what experts generally recommend for kids’ vitamins.3 They say that a vitamin should be a supportive supplement, not the sole provider of a child’s nutrients.

While vitamins are important for proper health and well-being, over-supplementation can pose a risk. For example, it’s particularly dangerous for younger children to have too much vitamin A (and also far easier for them to get too much due to their smaller body size), so we prefer to see companies err on the side of caution and — like First Day — only give kids what they need, or at least aim for less than 100% DV across the board.4

Effectiveness

Winner: First Day

We chose First Day as our pick for efficacy because of its supplement delivery method — gummies (more on that in a moment) — and the rigorous, consistent testing for potency the company’s products undergo throughout the manufacturing process. While our other picks also go through extensive third-party testing, only First Day is tested at least three times. (In fairness to Llama Naturals, it also mentions testing its product multiple times, but the frequency isn’t specified.)

A lot of the effectiveness of a multivitamin comes down to the nutrients involved and how well your body can use them (their bioavailability). Unfortunately, while there have been multiple studies on the bioavailability of certain, specific nutrients in different forms — like vitamin C or vitamin D — there really hasn’t been much of any research on that of most active ingredients, let alone entire multivitamins.5 6 7 According to a 2023 review, this is because “such studies are expensive and complicated.” So we have to make judgments using the information we have.7

In a pair of separate studies comparing tablets with capsules or liquid forms of two different pharmaceutical drugs, the bioavailability remained the same no matter the form.8 9 However, other studies have shown that vitamin C in liquid form and vitamin D gummies had higher bioavailability than traditional tablets.5 6 Though these studies involve vastly different active ingredients, they may suggest that gummies and liquids have a bioavailability advantage.

Additionally, the pre-measured doses of gummies can offer a slight edge in effectiveness over the potential for human error when measuring liquid supplements. It’s easy to accidentally pour too much or too little, which may (albeit minorly) alter how “effective” the dose is.

So, to summarize, we ultimately chose First Day for efficacy over our liquid vitamin pick, Mary Ruth’s Liquid Morning — still a close second here — due to currently available research, the former’s comprehensive testing, and the consistency that pre-dosed gummies can provide. As the research into vitamin delivery forms (hopefully) develops in the near future, we’ll update this guide accordingly.

Cost

Winner: OLLY Kids’ Multi Worms

Whether for adults or children, supplements tend to be pricey. For our best kids’ vitamin picks, we chose OLLY Kids’ Multi Worms as the best budget option due to its low up-front cost and low price per daily dose. This product is available in two different sizes (with mildly confusing names):

• 35-serving bottle or refill pouch (35-70 servings, depending on child’s age)
• 100-count bottle (50-100 servings, depending on child’s age)

We’re unsure why one size is named based on servings while the other is based on the total gummy count, but the bullet points above should clarify things.

Naming concerns aside, let’s take a quick look at how a 35-serving bottle of OLLY’s Kids’ Multi Worms compares in price to a 30-day supply from some of our other top picks.

Note: SmartyPants vitamins are sold on Amazon, so the prices can fluctuate.

As you can see, OLLY's gummies are much more affordable than both our most expensive pick, First Day, and one of our averagely priced picks, SmartyPants. We’ll delve into more pricing details, including the savings potential from buying the 100-count bottle, in OLLY’s dedicated product section later on.

Convenience

Winner: Hiya Kids’ Daily Iron

When you’re trying to get your child to take a supplement — something they very well may not want to do — the less difficulty, the better. A majority of our picks for kids' vitamins generally require taking multiple gummies (often two or three) or a specific measurement of liquid. Hiya Kids’ Daily Iron, on the other hand, offers a daily serving of a single chewable tablet. It’s not the best-tasting option of our top picks, but it does offer the quickest dosing option of the bunch — and sometimes that’s all you need.

When it comes to purchasing, Hiya’s offerings are only available as recurring deliveries. If you like the product, then this adds to the convenience. If you don’t, then you’ll have to go through a back-and-forth email chain with customer support to cancel — which is far from convenient. Ultimately, the overall convenience of Hiya as a service depends on how you intend to interact with it. But the supplement itself is still the most convenient delivery method of our top picks.

If you want easy subscription management, First Day lets you cancel with the click of a button. And a few of our other picks, like SmartyPants and Barlean’s, are available on Amazon, which has pretty straightforward subscription management, too.

Taste

Winner: OLLY Kids Multi Worms

Flavor-wise, OLLY Kids Multi Worms were our testers’ favorite out of all the kids’ vitamins they tried; they’re quite tasty, and they could legitimately pass for actual non-vitamin gummy worms. However, while this can be great for getting kids to take their vitamins, it could also increase the risk of them taking too many.38

If this is a concern, then our team’s second favorite for taste, First Day, could be an alternative. First Day’s vitamins and probiotics are fruity and flavorful without being mistakable for an actual snack or piece of candy. If your child is particularly picky when it comes to vitamins, then OLLY’s Multi Worms could still be a great option, but we do advise keeping the potential risks in mind.

On the opposite end of the flavor spectrum, our testers found Llama Naturals to be the least enjoyable of the multivitamins — and Hiya’s iron supplement wasn’t far behind. The former has a strong “vitamin” taste to its gummies, while the latter is a chewable tablet that seems like it wants to be both fruity and chocolatey at the same time but doesn’t achieve either.

When it comes to our liquid vitamin and supplement picks, Mary Ruth’s offerings are pretty middle-of-the-road; they’re enjoyable enough for vitamins. Barlean’s omega-3 for kids, on the other hand, is quite delicious for a fish oil supplement; you can’t taste the fish at all, only tangerine. One tester found it mixed very well with yogurt and smoothies — and they even felt it works decently on top of vanilla ice cream.

The chart below offers a quick overview of how our top kids’ vitamin picks compare in several important ways, such as one-time purchase costs (rounded up to the nearest dollar), serving sizes, servings per bottle, and more.

Note: Whether for kids or teens, First Day’s products cost the same, so we grouped them together. And the purchase button on SmartyPants’ website links to its Amazon store, where price changes happen regularly; hence, the “varies” under the price column.

A multivitamin for kids should be generally safe, especially when it’s one intended for their age group and taken in appropriate amounts. And when it comes to the top picks in our guide, they’re all third-party tested for safety. Of course — no matter which vitamin you choose — we always recommend asking your pediatrician before starting your child on anything new.

However, as with any supplement, there can still be some risks. Overall, experts agree that a kids’ multi should be more like a backup measure than the sole provider of a child’s key nutrients. According to Dr. Angela C. Mattke, M.D., from the Mayo Clinic, children’s multivitamins “shouldn't give more than 100% of the Daily Value of vitamins and minerals.”2 Despite this, a majority of children’s vitamins (even some of our top picks) give kids multiple nutrients at 100% or more. Frequently giving kids too much of their percent DV (%DV) of certain nutrients can lead to dangerous over-supplementation.10

Generally, this risk comes from vitamins that aren’t water-soluble. With water-soluble vitamins, any excess is excreted in the urine and won’t build up in the body. Fat-soluble vitamins, on the other hand, can build up over time and lead to toxicity.11

The fat-soluble vitamins are A, D, E, and K.11 Now, it’s still important that your child gets enough of these for proper growth and development, but it’s also important to make sure they aren’t taking too much. Here are some risks of fat-soluble vitamins:

It’s worth mentioning that none of our top picks have nutrients in amounts that approach Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) — this is the maximum daily intake of a nutrient that’s unlikely to result in adverse effects, meaning you should aim to get less than the UL per day.20 However, if your child eats a diet rich in a nutrient and then takes a vitamin containing it, they could cross that threshold. For instance, as mentioned above, if your child regularly eats a fair amount of meat, fish, eggs, dairy, or leafy greens, then they may already be getting enough vitamin A — and adding a supplement with 100% DV, or more, could be risky.12

This is one of many reasons why communicating with your child’s doctor is important when picking a multivitamin.

Additionally, some other potential ingredients found in kids’ multivitamins (or standalone supplements) — iron, omega-3s, and probiotics — come with a few potential risks of their own, such as the following:

• Iron: An iron overdose is very dangerous for children. It often occurs when a child has access to supplements and consumes too many. The best way to avoid this is to keep supplements out of reach of children and use bottles with childproof lids.21
• Omega-3s: Omega-3s are often derived from fish, so if your child is allergic to fish or adheres to a vegan or vegetarian diet, alternative options are available. Barlean’s, for example, sells a version of its fish oil for kids that uses omega-3s from flaxseed.
• Probiotics: While probiotics should be safe for most kids, they shouldn’t be taken by those with a central line or port or by those who are immunocompromised or critically ill.22

Just like those meant for adults, multivitamins for kids work in various ways due to their assortment of ingredients — the different vitamins and minerals they contain. Each vitamin and mineral works in its own way to help support your health and overall well-being.

Let’s first go over the various vitamins and how these necessary nutrients help to support your (and your child’s) well-being:11 23

• Vitamin A: This fat-soluble vitamin promotes the health of your vision, skin, reproductive system, and immune system. It also supports proper growth.
• Vitamin B: The eight B-group vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12) help the body turn carbohydrates, fats, and protein from food into energy. Some of these vitamins also assist in the creation of DNA.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C supports proper collagen formation, iron absorption, immune function, wound healing, and more. Since the human body can’t make vitamin C on its own, it’s essential to get it from your diet or supplementation.
• Vitamin D: Vitamin D promotes strong muscles, bones, and overall good health. Though the best natural source of vitamin D is the sun, you still get a small amount of the vitamin from food.
• Vitamin E: This antioxidant vitamin fights free radicals in the body and supports better vision, immunity, and skin health. Too many free radicals (and not enough antioxidants) in the body causes oxidative stress, which can lead to cell damage and chronic or degenerative health conditions like cancer or Alzheimer's disease.61
• Vitamin K: This vitamin is essential for blood clotting, wound healing, and healthy bones.
• Choline: While not quite a vitamin, choline is considered “vitamin-like.”11 This nutrient is important for the proper functioning of your brain and nervous system.24

Now, let’s pivot to the functions of a few important minerals that are commonly found in some — but not all — multivitamins:23

• Calcium: Commonly found in dairy products, calcium is important for the health of your bones, teeth, muscles, heart, and nervous system. It also supports proper blood clotting.
• Iodine: This mineral is essential for your body to make thyroid hormones that affect your metabolism, as well as the growth and development of your brain and body.
• Zinc: Found in many protein-rich foods, zinc plays a role in immunity, growth, and development. It also helps transport vitamin A throughout the body.
• Magnesium: This important mineral plays many parts in your body, including supporting your immune system, blood pressure, lungs, bones, and proper glucose utilization.
• Iron: You need iron for proper immune function and oxygen transportation throughout the body. People are often deficient in this essential mineral, which is found in red meat, fish, poultry, eggs, legumes, and fish.

Finally, as probiotics (along with pre- and postbiotics) and omega-3s are found in some multivitamins, let’s quickly go over how they work:

• Prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics: To put it simply, prebiotics feed the organisms in your digestive system,25 probiotics introduce beneficial live organisms into your gut microbiome, and postbiotics are the useful by-products — such as vitamins, amino acids, and peptides — left over from the digestion of the pre- and probiotics.26 27
• Omega-3s: These essential nutrients are found in fish (EPA and DHA) and plants (ALA). They’re fatty acids that support your heart health, endocrine system, cell membranes, eyes, and brain.28

According to experts, most kids (even picky eaters) don’t really need a multivitamin, but it can be a good backup. As Cleveland Clinic pediatrician Dr. Laura O’Connor, MD, puts it, kids’ multivitamins are similar to an insurance policy: “You don’t need it, but it’s a good idea.”29 So, as long as their doctor gives the okay, kids’ vitamins and supplements can be an option for almost any child.

However, for some children, a multivitamin may actually be necessary for proper growth and development. These groups of children include — but aren’t limited to — those who:29

• Eat a vegan diet
• Have a chronic illness that affects nutrient absorption
• Have lactose intolerance
• Experience poor weight gain
• Consume low levels of vitamin D in their regular diet2

At what age should kids take a multivitamin?

Generally, kids’ vitamins are made for a few age groups of children:

• Ages 2-3
• Ages 4+
• Older kids or teens 13-17

Some vitamins are made with all of these groups in mind — like Mary Ruth’s Liquid Morning — while others may focus on only one or two. Here are the age groups each of our top picks are intended for:

Note: Mary Ruth’s multivitamins are actually intended for age groups outside of the norm. The Organic Toddler Multivitamin Liquid Drops are for kids ages 1-3, while Liquid Morning is for kids 1-3, kids 4-13, and kids or adults 14 and older.

Best for most kids, best for older kids and teens, and best probiotic for kids

First Day follows the philosophy that “more isn't always better” when it comes to multivitamins, striving to give kids only what they need and avoid over-supplementation. Out of all our top picks, only First Day’s multivitamin doesn’t give kids or teens 100% DV of any nutrient. This falls in line with the recommendation from Mayo Clinic doctor Angela C. Mattke, M.D., that children’s vitamins shouldn’t exceed 100% DV of their vitamin and mineral needs.2 It also adheres to experts’ guidance that kids’ multivitamins should play a supportive or backup role rather than act as the sole source of a child’s key nutrients.29 30

In terms of safety, First Day’s products are made in a GMP-certified facility in Germany. When it comes to supplements, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) notes:

“As food supplements are foods, they are covered by the basic provisions of the German Food and Feed Code of Law (LFGB) as well as all other legislation of the European Union in the area of food law. Amongst other things, foods must be safe, consumers may not be misled by the information on the package, and disease-related claims are prohibited.”4

Additionally, supplements made in Germany are subjected to random sample checks by official monitoring bodies.4 This is all in addition to First Day’s multiple (“at least three times”) third-party testing efforts for potency and purity throughout the manufacturing process.

In the following sections, we cover some of the most important and relevant details of the First Day products we chose for this guide. You can also learn more about First Day in our full review.

Kids' Daily Enrichment Multivitamin and Kids' Belly-Biotic

First Day’s kids’ products are intended for children 4+, and, as mentioned above, the vitamins don’t approach 100% or more of their DV of any nutrient — most are around 25% DV. Llama Naturals, when given to a child 4+, comes close to doing the same, but it still gives kids in that age group 100% DV of vitamin D.

Pivoting to the Kids' Belly-Biotic, all First Day probiotics contain the same prebiotic: gold kiwifruit powder. This prebiotic (food for the probiotics) appears to positively affect the gut microbiome for as long as you take it.31 Now, the strains in this kids’ product include Lactobacillus paracasei MCC1849 and Bacillus coagulans SNZ 1969. The former reduced the duration of cold symptoms in a 2023 study,32 and the latter boosted gut motility (reduced constipation) in a separate 2017 study.33

Teens' Defense Starter Pack (multivitamin and probiotic bundle)

If you’ve ever looked for a vitamin for your teen, you may have noticed that the market isn’t exactly flourishing with options (SmartyPants and Mary Ruth’s are some of the few other brands to offer them). Toddlers, kids, and adults are typically the main focus of supplement manufacturers, while teens often get left behind — and this is especially true when it comes to other supplements, like probiotics. Though teens may be able to take a children’s or adult’s probiotic, we appreciate the fact that First Day created one specifically with this age group in mind.

During one’s teen years, an often stressful period filled with rapid-fire changes, it can be important to ensure they’re getting the support they need to stay healthy. We specifically chose First Day’s bundle, which includes a probiotic for gut health, because functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) are actually quite common in adolescents, according to researchers.34 35

First Day’s Teens’ Gut Sustainer contains the same prebiotic as the kids’ probiotic — gold kiwifruit powder — along with the strains FloraSMART (Lactobacillus casei 327) and Bacillus coagulans SNZ 1969. Both of these strains appear to have the ability to boost gut motility.33 36 And a review on the use of probiotics, in general, for gastrointestinal disorders in the pediatric population (age 18 and younger) found them to be “effective complementary therapies.”37

First Day vitamins and probiotics pricing

Perhaps First Day's biggest drawback is its cost; even with subscription discounts, First Day products are some of the most expensive supplements in our guide.

All of the company’s product lines (for kids, teens, and adults) follow the same pricing structure. Here’s the cost breakdown:

Compared to OLLY’s $17.99 price for a 100-count bottle of its gummies, $39 for a multi is quite a big difference. The bundle can make the cost per serving of each First Day supplement a bit more tolerable, but that’s still roughly a $70-$80 purchase. However, the company does offer a 45-day money-back guarantee on your first purchase (similar to Llama Natural’s 30-day policy). So, if you find First Day isn’t the right fit for your family, you can reach out to customer service and get a refund.

Best budget option

OLLY Kids Multi Worms stand out as our best budget choice due to the impressively low cost per bottle and cost per serving. This NSF-certified multi is intended for kids aged 2-3 and 4+, and only a handful of water-soluble vitamins in the product go up to or over 100% DV.

While we’d prefer to see zero nutrients hit that 100% line, we’re happy that OLLY at least hits it only with water-soluble vitamins, which won’t build up in a child’s body.

Taste-wise, the OLLY Kids Multi Worms were our testers’ favorite; they felt these gummy vitamins were indistinguishable from normal gummy worms in both flavor and texture. As we’ve mentioned previously, this can be great for kids who put up a particularly tough fight against taking other vitamins, but it can also be a risk for overdose if your child thinks of them as candy and seeks out more of them.38 Given the risk, the Multi Worms — and other vitamins or supplements — should always be kept out of reach of children. If you’d prefer a tasty but less candy-like vitamin, First Day was our testers’ close runner-up for taste.

OLLY Kids Multi Worms pricing information

There are two different package sizes of OLLY’s Kids Multi Worms, divided into three products:

• 35-serving container
• 35-serving refill pouch
• 100-count container

Unfortunately, the 100-serving option doesn’t have a refill pouch available, nor can you subscribe to save 15% on recurring deliveries — but it still ends up being the most cost-effective one as a single purchase. The chart below shows how the pricing works out.

Note: The products' names can make this a little confusing, but depending on your child’s age (2-3 or 4+), the 35-serving options offer 70 or 35 servings, and the 100-count option offers 100 or 50 servings.

In comparison, a one-month supply of vitamins from First Day is $39, or $33.15 with a subscription. Even with a subscription discount, First Day is still nearly double the cost of a one-time purchase of 100 OLLY’s Kids Multi Worms — the latter of which would get you up to a three-month supply instead.

Best for toddlers and best liquid multivitamin

Mary Ruth’s earned our picks for both the best liquid kids’ multivitamin (Liquid Morning Multivitamin) and the best option for toddlers (Organic Toddler Multivitamin Liquid Drops). Like all of our other top picks, Mary Ruth’s vitamins are third-party tested and produced in GMP-certified facilities. And, like our top pick, First Day, these products are Clean Label Project Certified (this means they’re extensively safety tested for purity).

Now, Mary Ruth’s Liquid Morning Multivitamin is made for all ages — from as young as one year old up to teens and adults 14 and older. However, we’re only focusing on the %DVs for ages 1-3 and 4-13, as noted on the Supplement Facts label. For both age groups, there are nutrients up to and well over 100% DV; however, similar to OLLY, they’re all water-soluble B vitamins.

Biotin is available in the highest amounts, at 313% (for kids 1-3) and 500% (for kids 4-13). But it’s a B vitamin, so any excess will be excreted in the urine. And, as experts note, it’s “very difficult to overdose on biotin.”39 So, as with OLLY, we’d prefer to see %DVs under 100%, but at least they’re all water-soluble.

Turning to Mary Ruth’s Organic Toddler Multivitamin Liquid Drops, this USDA-Certified Organic product has only two nutrients that hit 100% exactly: vitamin D and vitamin B12. While the latter is water-soluble, the former isn’t. However, vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are fairly common in infants and toddlers, especially those who are breastfed or receive little sun exposure.40 Too little vitamin D can lead to adverse effects in young children, such as rickets.41 Because of the risks and the rate of insufficiency, we’re far more understanding of Mary Ruth’s decision to include 100% of the recommended daily value of vitamin D for toddlers.

Taste-wise, Mary Ruth’s Liquid Morning has a raspberry-like flavor, but — because it’s entirely unsweetened — it’s rather bitter and has a bit of a “vitamin-y” aftertaste. This is especially true when you have to take larger doses (like for teens and adults), but it isn’t quite as bad when it’s a smaller, kid-sized amount. The Toddler Multi Drops, on the other hand, are quite tasty; they almost have a Creamsicle-like flavor (a blend of orange and vanilla). There is a bit of stevia used in these drops, however, and it can be noticeable if you’re not used to it, so toddlers may easily pick up on the aftertaste until they adjust over time.

Mary Ruth’s Liquid Morning and Toddler Multi Drops pricing

One big drawback of Mary Ruth’s vitamins is that they’re often out of stock. But when they are available for purchase, you can either get them as one-time purchases or subscribe to save 10% on recurring deliveries. This is a pretty standard discount, if not a bit low, but any savings opportunities are appreciated. Here’s how Mary Ruth’s pricing breaks down:

Mary Ruth’s Liquid Morning is the most expensive of our top kids’ multivitamin picks in terms of up-front cost. The only one that goes above its price is First Day’s Teens’ Defense Starter Pack ($79) — but that’s a two-product bundle containing a multivitamin and a probiotic, so it’s not really fit for an equal comparison.

However, if you plan on giving Liquid Morning to a child aged 1-3, the product will last you a little over an entire year. That turns a $42.95 single-purchase up-front cost to around only $3.58 per month. If the initial cost weren’t so high, Liquid Morning would most definitely be our best budget pick, but as it stands, OLLY’s Multi Worms still wins that title for its overall value.

Best with adaptogens

Llama Naturals, similar to First Day, offers a plant-based, vegan, organic kids’ multivitamin with nutrients derived solely from a blend of fruits and vegetables. Something that differentiates it from our top pick, though, is the fact that it contains a pair of adaptogenic mushrooms: shiitake and maitake. While this does make it unsafe for kids with mushroom allergies, the two functional fungi may be able to help children’s bodies respond better to stressors and potentially boost their immune systems (based on some animal studies).42 43

Pivoting to the vitamin content, Llama Naturals makes this product for kids 2-3 and 4+ years old. The former age group gets quite a lot of vitamin content — perhaps too much. For children aged 2-3, Llama Naturals provides 80% or more of every single nutrient included, and five of them go up to or above 100% DV.

However, unlike OLLY and Mary Ruth’s high-dose water-soluble vitamins, two of Llama’s components are fat-soluble and can be risky: vitamin A and vitamin K1. The following list details the risks and the %DV of both for kids aged 2-3 in Llama Naturals’ vitamin:

• Vitamin A (100%): It’s particularly dangerous for younger children to take too much vitamin A, and it’s also far easier for them to get too much due to their smaller body size.3 Symptoms of too much vitamin A include vision problems, bone pain, softening of the skull bone, appetite problems, dizziness, headache, and more.12
• Vitamin K1 (133%): Though vitamin K toxicity is rare, adverse effects may include neurological damage, anemia, and jaundice.17

Due to these risks for young children, we recommend waiting until your child is in the 4+ age range before giving them Llama Naturals vitamin. For kids in that age group, Llama Naturals provides a nice, moderate 50% DV of nearly all the vitamins, with the only 100% DV nutrient being vitamin D. That, plus the potential of the functional mushrooms (as explained previously), could make Llama Naturals a good option for kids aged 4+ who are in need of additional immune system support.43 44

On the manufacturing side, Llama Naturals kids’ multivitamin is made in Germany, like our top pick, First Day. It’s hard to figure this out at first, as the website FAQ answers paint a bit of a confusing picture, but the vitamin content is made in the U.S. from globally sourced ingredients, and the gummies themselves are made in Germany. This means the gummies are held to the same strict regulations as food during production and undergo random testing.4

In terms of taste, these gummies (at least the strawberry ones) were our testers’ least favorite of the bunch. There was little to no strawberry flavor to be found, only the taste of vitamins and some bitterness. Though we didn’t have a chance to try them, perhaps the cherry ones cover the taste better. But ultimately, if non-picky adults found the gummies less than appealing, Llama Naturals may be a bit tough for a younger, pickier eater to manage.

Llama Naturals Kids Multivitamin Gummies pricing

Like Mary Ruth’s, Llama Naturals offers a 10% discount on subscriptions. With or without the subscription discount, these vitamins are priced pretty average. The list below details the pricing information (both flavors — cherry and strawberry — cost the same).

Note: Kids aged 2-3 get 45 servings out of a bottle, while those who are 4+ get 30.

The Llama Naturals website notes that a subscription should bring the cost per serving down to $0.75, but the math doesn’t add up to that. It's actually around 10-20 cents higher or lower than that, depending on your child's age.

Like First Day, Llama Naturals offers a money-back guarantee on your first purchase, though its policy is 15 days shorter than First Day’s (30 days versus 45).

Best with added fiber

It may be surprising to learn that up to almost 30% of children worldwide suffer from persistent constipation. Researchers note that more than half of these children have a fiber intake below the recommended minimum daily intake. With fiber intake being low in a majority of children who consume a typical Western diet, a multivitamin that includes some fiber could help alleviate or prevent digestive upset.45

SmartyPants Kids Multi & Fiber won’t cover your child’s entire recommended daily intake (roughly 20-30g per day), but it could be the 4g boost they need to meet that goal — or at least get a bit closer to it.46

Along with fiber, these vitamins include 100mg of omega-3s (EPA and DHA) from fish oil. This isn’t nearly as much as the 625mg from Barlean’s Omega Pals, but it could be a nice bit of additional support for your child’s heart, eye, and brain health.

In terms of vitamin and mineral content, only vitamin D and B12 hit the 100% DV mark. The others have DVs ranging from as little as 1% (sodium) to 63% (folate), but most are around 20-50% DV. As we’ve noted before, 100% DV of either vitamin D or vitamin B12 isn’t too concerning. We’d prefer to see less, but these aren’t very worrisome vitamins to have in higher concentrations.

Taste-wise, SmartyPants Kids Multi & Fiber is pretty middle-of-the-road — they’re not delicious, but they’re not terrible, either. We will note that the texture of each gummy can vary; one of our testers encountered a mushy one and a pretty hard one in the same four-gummy dose. So kids who are sensitive to textures may not be too keen on these.

SmartyPants Kids Multi & Fiber pricing

When you try to purchase these vitamins online, the SmartyPants website redirects you to the company’s official Amazon store. Because of this, the prices frequently fluctuate (as they tend to do on Amazon). Generally, though, Kids Multi & Fiber goes for around $20 per bottle. Current prices at the time of writing are:

• 90-count (22-day supply): $18.57 ($17.64 with subscription)
• 120-count (30-day supply): $19.99 ($18.99 with subscription)

We’re not entirely sure why SmartyPants sells a 22-day supply option; it’s a fairly odd number of days, and purchasing that option doesn’t result in that much of a lower price. Additionally, since these are sold through Amazon, you can’t return them or get a refund, as they’re “non-returnable due to food safety reasons.” (The same applies to Barlean’s products if you purchase through its Amazon store.)

Best kids’ omega-3

Barlean’s Omega Pals Hooty Fruity Tangerine is one of a couple top picks in our kids’ vitamin guide that don’t actually contain vitamins or minerals (similar to First Day’s probiotics). Instead, this sustainably sourced fish oil product contains another important nutrient: omega-3s. It also includes a selection of ingredients specifically designed to promote better eye health.

Each Barlean’s Omega Pals flavor contains a different amount of omega-3s, and the other ingredients may vary, too. However, with how much screen time kids get on average — over half of school-aged children spend at least two hours in front of screens each day — we felt the additional ingredients for promoting eye health were particularly important.47 Also, this product offers a tasty, easy-to-take alternative to swallowing large fish oil pills. All of this added up to us choosing Barlean’s Hooty Fruit Tangerine option as the best omega-3 supplement for kids.

Now, before delving into the details of the other ingredients, let’s first examine the omega-3 content of this product. Barlean’s Omega Pals Hooty Fruity Tangerine contains 625mg of omega-3s (far more than the 100mg of omega-3s from SmartyPants’ multivitamin).

In comparison, the current daily recommended amounts of omega-3s for kids per day are:48

• 1-3 years old: 700mg
• 4-8 years old: 900mg
• 9-13 years old (girls): 1,000mg
• 9-13 years old (boys): 1,200mg

So, each 1½ tsp serving of Barlean’s Hooty Fruity Tangerine (625mg total omega-3s) gives kids aged 1-3 almost their entire daily requirement, kids 4-8 around two-thirds of it, and kids 9-13 about half. For young children, who may be a little more difficult to convince to eat omega-3-rich foods, this could serve as an ideal alternative.

Pivoting to the remaining ingredients, let’s examine the potential benefits of these other inclusions.

Moreover, omega-3s themselves can also promote better eye health.28 So, as you can see, current research suggests that Barlean’s Hooty Fruity Tangerine may be able to help protect your child’s vision. Of course, if you have any pressing concerns about your child’s vision, taking them to a doctor is recommended.

Barlean’s Omega Pals Hooty Fruity Tangerine pricing

This product is available either directly from the Barlean’s website or from its official Amazon store. At this time, we recommend purchasing from Amazon — the prices tend to be lower, and you can save more with the subscriptions there. Here’s how the costs differ between the two at the time of this writing:

• Barlean’s website: $22.99 (or $20.69 with a subscription)
• Barlean’s Amazon store: $20.69 (or $18.62 with a subscription)

Interestingly, the subscription price from the Barlean’s website is the exact same as the one-time purchase price on Amazon. But the subscription price from Amazon is definitely the best deal out of your purchase options. However, you will have to keep in mind that, like SmartyPants’ vitamins, this product can’t be returned to Amazon once it’s purchased.

Best iron for kids

Hiya Kids’ Daily Iron is our choice for the best iron supplement for kids due to a few reasons:

• It contains carbonyl iron.
• Vitamin C is included.
• Each serving is only a single chewable tablet.
• The bottle is childproof.

Let’s take a bit to break down why each of those reasons is important. First off, carbonyl iron has been noted by researchers as a form of the mineral that may “substantially” reduce or eliminate “the risk of iron poisoning in children.”53 Further demonstrating its safety, a 2016 animal study on carbonyl iron toxicity found that it led to no damage or significant alterations to multiple body systems.54

In terms of efficacy, one study found that chewable carbonyl iron tablets worked better than a traditional ferrous sulfate solution treatment for iron-deficient children. The group taking the tablets experienced significantly better outcomes after three months.55

The inclusion of vitamin C is important because it’s essential for helping the body to absorb iron. It’s especially vital for promoting the absorption of non-heme iron, which is found in vegetables.56 This means that Hiya’s iron supplement not only provides iron but also could help kids absorb more iron from the foods they eat.

Pivoting to the product itself, we like that a dose of this supplement is one chewable tablet. Compared to something like SmartyPants’ four-gummy serving, a once-daily single chewable tablet is much easier to manage. These tablets may not taste the best, but having to chew only one makes it a bit better.

And finally, even though carbonyl iron may be harder for kids to take too much of, an iron overdose is still particularly dangerous for kids.21 Because of this, we greatly appreciate Hiya’s use of a childproof bottle.

Hiya Kids’ Daily Iron pricing

Like with First Day, one of the biggest drawbacks of Hiya’s iron supplement is its pricing. Each bottle of Hiya’s Kids’ Daily Iron is $30, or $1 per day. Also, there are no repeat delivery discount opportunities since all orders are on a recurring basis; you can’t just buy Hiya supplements once. However, you can save 50% off your first order using code INNERBODY to bring that cost down to $15, or only $0.50 per day.

Taking a quick look at comparable supplements on the market, which have the same ingredients but triple the servings, there are several that cost nearly half or less of what Hiya does. However, those comparable supplements are on Amazon with no indication of third-party testing for safety. So, you may be paying more money with Hiya, but it could be for peace of mind.

If you aren’t keen on giving your child a multivitamin or supplement — or if you’re unsure whether it’s the right choice for them — there are some alternative ways to help support their general health and well-being.

Eating healthy

Perhaps one of the best, all-natural ways for your child — and everyone else — to get enough vitamins and minerals is by eating a well-balanced diet. Many foods contain several of the nutrients included in multivitamins, making it easier to meet your child’s daily needs solely with their daily meals.57

A healthy diet may also substitute for other supplements, like iron. If you’re concerned about your child getting enough of this mineral, adding more iron-rich foods to their diet (like spinach, eggs, beef, chicken, and peas) could be a solution.58

Spending time outside

Though it’s quite a bit different from eating healthy or taking a supplement, spending time outside can give kids much-needed vitamin D.59 As vitamin D is an essential vitamin for absorbing calcium and maintaining proper bone health, a deficiency can be dangerous for kids. As noted in a 2013 review, “In children, inadequate concentrations of vitamin D may cause rickets and/or symptomatic hypocalcemia, such as seizures or tetany.”60

That same review goes on to note that “the primary source of vitamin D is sunlight exposure,” meaning that more than just a daily multivitamin can help your child get enough of this essential nutrient.

Speaking with your child’s pediatrician

If you have a specific concern regarding your child’s health and well-being, then making an appointment to speak with their doctor is ideal. They can help you determine the best course of action to meet your child’s unique needs — which may or may not include taking a multivitamin or other supplement.