The best children’s vitamins for 2021

For the most part, children who eat a well-balanced diet do not need any vitamin supplements, but that of course isn’t the case for all kids. Supplements may be necessary for kids with or at risk of deficiencies, follow a vegan or vegetarian diet or have other dietary restrictions. Often times, parents provide their children with a multivitamin to ensure they are meeting all their nutritional needs. Whatever the case may be, if you are looking for a supplement for a child, of course you want the best of the best. We’ve found four of the best vitamins for kids that are full of benefits and have your child’s health and safety in mind.

SmartyPants Kids Daily Multivitamin

This multivitamin from SmartyPants is full of much needed benefits. This vitamin makes up for “all the vegetable they won’t eat.” According to SmartyPants, their product addresses specific nutritional gaps in kids 4 years old and older.

The formula provides many health benefits and contains premium ingredients. Some ingredients include: DHA essential fatty acids, Omega-3, vitamin D3 for bones and vitamin B12 for energy and more. It also includes vitamin K1 and K2 in their premium form, MK7, which also helps with bone health. On top of that, the multivitamin contains folate in the preferred form, methylfolate. This can help your child’s body form red blood cells.

Like all SmartyPants supplements, this multivitamin is allergen-free. It is free of the eight most common allergens such as: milk, eggs, gluten, wheat, shellfish, soy, peanuts, fish allergens and treenut allergens. It is also non-GMO and free of synthetic colors, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners, flavors and preservatives.

This vitamin is available in three different flavors: lemon, orange and strawberry banana.  For children 3 years of age and older, SmartyPants recommends taking four gummies daily. Your child can take these gummy vitamins with or without food.

Nature’s Nutra Easy Iron Supplement Drops for Kids

If your child has an iron deficiency, they may need an iron supplement. Before giving your child this supplement, have your child’s pediatrician test them to see if an iron supplement is necessary.

Iron is essential for healthy red blood cells, and also builds muscle. Iron deficiency is common in girls when they begin to menstruate. It’s also common in infants over four months.

One of the best option’s out there is from Nature’s Nutra. Their liquid iron drops are vegan and non-GMO, and do not include common allergens, parabens, alcohol or soy. According to the brand, this drops has higher absorption rates than pills, gummies and capsules.

The iron in these drops comes from a more bioavailable Ferrous Glycinate, which is a form of iron that is more effective and gentle than other iron.

The gentle drops promise to not irritate your child’s stomach. Your kid can take these drops on an empty stomach, or mix them in water, milk or juice.

Ritual Essential for Kids 4+

Ritual’s Essential for Kids 4+ is another multivitamin created with even the pickiest eaters in mind. Not only does this vitamin contain 50 milligrams of Omega 3 and DHA, it also provides 3 grams of fiber per serving.

What’s great about these supplements is the 12 Traceable ingredients. Unlike other multivitamins, Ritual includes a visible supply chain so you know exactly what is going into your kid’s body. Some of the ingredients are: vitamin A, B12, D, C and E, folate and choline. Ritual’s Essential for Kids 4+ helps normal immune function, and also supports brain health, digestive health and bone health. This multivitamin’s formulation has nutrients for kids aged 4 to 12 years old.

With this vitamin, you won’t have to worry about your child’s sugar intake. This supplement is stevia and sugar-free. Instead, its natural citrus-berry flavor comes from lemon oil and raspberry extract, and it uses monk fruit as a sweetener.

Note that Ritual is a monthly vitamin-subscription service. They deliver the product to your door, eliminating the worry of forgetting refills. The subscription is easy to cancel at any time.

OLLY Kids Multi + Probiotic Gummy

This supplement from OLLY is both a multivitamin and probiotic gummy. This means it provides all the nutrients of a multivitamin including blends of vitamin A, C, D, E, Bs and zinc, with a boost of live probiotics. Probiotics are good bacteria that will help your child’s body thrive and balance their bellies. The super dose of probiotics supports healthy belly bacteria as well as a strong immune system.

This supplement is especially great to take when your kid is taking antibiotics, because it prevents gut disruption that antibiotics can sometimes cause.

Other ingredients include natural flavors, citric acid, lactic acid, and mixed tocopherols (antioxidant.)

When taking this multivitamin, probiotic blend, OLLY recommends children 2 to 3-years-old chew one gummy daily, and children 4-years-old or older should take two gummies per day. Food and water are not necessary to take this vitamin.