Best Toddler and Kids' Vitamins, Tested by a Dietitian and Mom

In a nutshell:

Based on product testing by a pediatric dietitian and a mom, as well as expert advice from a pediatrician, we selected Smarty Pants Sugar Free Kids Multi & Omegas as the overall best multivitamin for kids age 4+, and NovaFerrum’s MMM! Multivitamin as overall best toddler multivitamin. These supplements impressed us with their exceptional taste, ease of administration, age-appropriate composition and high nutritional value.

As a pediatric dietitian and a mom of three kids under six, I’m familiar with the struggles of getting kids to eat a wide range of healthy foods. While I prefer to offer vitamins and minerals from whole foods first, let’s be real—it’s not always realistic or feasible. I experienced picky eating with two of my toddlers, one of whom practically survived on crackers and cheese quesadillas for a good six months. For picky eaters or kids with special dietary needs or restrictions, adding toddler vitamins into their routine may be just what they need. Supplementing their diet with a toddler multivitamin brings me peace of mind because I can fill in nutritional gaps and tackle deficiencies from a diet lacking certain food groups (hello, meat and veggies!).

In order to help you choose the best vitamins for kids, I’ve collected insights from our testing adventures and made suggestions based on my experience as a dietitian and mom. Below, you’ll find my top 5 recommendations for kids’ and toddler vitamins.

How We Tested and Chose the Best Vitamins for Kids

With dozens of multivitamins to choose from, finding the best vitamins for kids can feel overwhelming. But hey, that’s where this article comes in clutch! With the support of The Bump editorial team, I’ve done the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to. And who knows, maybe you’ll have an extra moment to sneak in a few sips of your morning coffee. Here are the steps we took to select the best vitamins for toddlers:

• I tested eight different options with the assistance of my two toddlers—aged 16 months and 3 years—who served as junior testers. Based on my experience as a pediatric dietitian and mom of three, I evaluated the ingredients list, ease of use, value for money and overall quality of the vitamins, while my kids weighed in on the scent and taste of each supplement. All of the products on this list were well-liked by our junior testers.
• We sent two different multivitamins to a third-party reviewer to test with her 4-year-old so we could match our kids’ vitamins with an appropriately aged child.
• The Bump team interviewed a board-certified pediatrician and consulted guidelines from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, for more information on the nutritional needs of young children.
• We prioritized multivitamins from reputable brands that are third-party tested for quality and purity, when possible.
• We chose multivitamins that provide the appropriate doses of nutrients, aligning closely with the recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for children aged 1 to 3 years and for children 4 years and up. We only tested products that are easy to administer and only chose vitamins that are free from added sugar.

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The Best Toddler Multivitamins

Do Toddlers Need Vitamins?

The simple answer is no. Most toddlers don’t need to take multivitamins, especially if they eat a well-balanced diet. Ideally, we advocate for a “food first” approach and prefer kids get all their vitamins and minerals from a diverse range of foods.

However, toddlers will be toddlers, and their eating habits can be unpredictable. They may happily eat chicken and carrots one day, while the next day it’s all about pouches and puffs. Kids may also be missing nutrients due to dietary restrictions or food allergies. For example, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) states that “children who follow vegetarian or vegan diets may need to supplement with vitamin B12 since it’s only found in animal-based foods.” Loretta Cody, MD, a board-certified pediatrician based in Connecticut agrees that most children do not need a multivitamin, but notes that children with celiac disease, cystic fibrosis or an inflammatory bowel disease may need supplements as these conditions can affect vitamin absorption. In these instances, a multivitamin can help guarantee they receive essential nutrients for optimal health. Before introducing a multivitamin to your child, it’s a good idea to talk to your child’s doctor first. “If your pediatrician feels it’s necessary to add a multivitamin they will guide you on what your child may be lacking and they may recommend a certain multivitamin,” says Cody.

What to Consider When Choosing a Toddler Vitamin

When choosing toddler vitamins, consider nutrients that might be missing from their diet. Every multivitamin is different, and each brand will offer unique formulations and ingredients. Most importantly, every child has their own health needs, so what works for one might not work for another. Here are a few other things to think about before buying a multivitamin:

• Make sure that the multivitamin contains the right amounts of nutrients suitable for your child’s age. The goal is to bridge any nutritional gaps, so ideally, it should supply all or most of the RDA for each nutrient.
• Excessive intake of certain vitamins can be harmful, so it’s important to take into account how much is coming from the diet too. Consult your pediatrician or dietitian for further guidance, as they can provide personalized advice based on your child’s specific needs and diet.
• If your child has a deficiency that needs correcting, it’s crucial to work closely with your pediatrician to determine the most suitable dosage to effectively address the deficiency.
• Toddler vitamins are available in different forms: powder, liquid, chewables and gummies. Gummy vitamins pose a choking risk to toddlers aged 1 to 3 years and are best suited for kids age 4 and up. Chewables can also be a choking hazard, so we only recommend them for children who have adequate chewing skills and can follow verbal directions, typically around age 3.
• Another aspect to consider is the overall sugar content and whether sweetness comes from non-nutritive sweeteners like monk fruit or sugar alcohols. While we generally prefer toddler vitamins without added sugar, sometimes the alternatives aren’t necessarily better for your child. Kids with sensitive tummies may not tolerate sugar alcohols, and may experience gas, abdominal pain or other uncomfortable symptoms. Some kids have sensitive palates and may not enjoy the taste of monk fruit due to its distinct aftertaste.
• Always consult your pediatrician before beginning any new supplement regimen with your child.

Lab-grown vs. food-based supplements: Is there a difference?

Our research shows that parents are often concerned about lab-grown supplements—what does it mean, and is it better or worse than food-based supplements? Put simply: Lab-grown food supplements contain, unsurprisingly, nutrients made in a laboratory. These synthetic nutrients are chemically identical to those found in food. On the other hand, food-based supplements are made by extracting nutrients directly from whole foods—such as dehydrating fruits and vegetables into powders, pressing oils or concentrating juices and syrups. The majority of supplements on the market contain lab-grown nutrients. While they’re not derived from whole foods, they still provide the same nutritional value. Practically, lab-grown supplements offer a more effective and efficient way to meet nutritional needs.

Choosing The Right Vitamins for Toddlers and Kids

Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) are a set of reference values created by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to help plan and assess nutrient intakes for healthy individuals, including both adults and children. Within the DRI, the RDAs outline the average daily intake levels of nutrients considered sufficient to meet the needs of most healthy individuals. For children, these recommendations are broken down into several age groups:

• Infants: 0 to 6 months
• Infants: 6 to 12 months
• Toddlers: 1 to 3 years
• Children: 4 to 8 years

When choosing an age-appropriate vitamin, it’s important to differentiate between toddlers (ages 1 to 3) and older children (ages 4+) because their nutritional needs and gross motor skills are different. Just picture the difference between a one-year-old and a 5-year-old at the dinner table—it’s a totally different scene. And even if you might not normally think of a 3-year-old as a toddler, when it comes to dietary needs that’s how they’re classified. This is also why, on top of choosing ingredients that are designed to meet an age-appropriate RDA, form matters when it comes to safety. Round, gummy or hard chewable vitamins can be choking hazards for children under age 4. Younger children are still developing the chewing and swallowing skills needed to safely handle these supplement forms. To keep your child safe, follow the manufacturer’s age recommendations and carefully consider your child’s developmental stage.

About the writer:
Dahlia Rimmon is a freelance writer and registered dietitian specializing in infant and toddler nutrition. She contributes to pediatric, family and lifestyle brands to help readers make informed decisions about baby and kids products and review pieces that skillfully combine her passion for research and her commitment to providing parents with evidence-based guidance and care. Dahlia lives with her family and energetic puppy in the Midwest.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.