What Are the Best Vitamins for Kids?

Laura Lewis, MS

This is a bit of a trick question: the best vitamins for kids come from healthy food. However, a daily kids’ multivitamin is a great way to fill in any nutritional gaps in the diet. The best kids multivitamin formulas are the ones that prioritize the unique nutritional needs for development during childhood.

Does my child need a kids multivitamin supplement?

Ideally, a growing child would get every vitamin and mineral they need to thrive from a healthy and well-balanced diet. But how many of us live ideal lives? Parents are busy and children are often picky or fickle about what they’ll eat. Toxins and preservatives run rampant in the prepared foods that are often the easiest choices for feeding kids on-the-go.  

One way to make sure your child is still getting the necessary nutrients to grow and learn is by supplementing their diet with a “pediatric” or kids multivitamin/mineral formula . Choose one designed specifically for their needs. 

That part is very important: children need a vitamin designed for children. On one hand, you can indeed have “too much of a good thing” when it comes to kids and some nutrients. Iron and the fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K) can be toxic at too-high doses. Although, these are some of the most important nutrients for kids to consume at adequate levels. On the other hand, children’s bones, muscles, and brains are still rapidly growing. So, their needs for certain nutrients may be more than you’d expect for their small size, compared to adult needs. 

Most growing children would benefit from taking a daily kids multivitamin to help meet all their nutritional requirements. Supplementation may be critical for children on vegetarian or vegan diets, restrictive diets due to food allergies or intolerances. It may also be necessary for those suffering from chronic diseases that affect digestion or absorption.  

Pediatric Vitamin/Mineral Base Powder

The Pediatric Vitamin/Mineral Base Powder is an iron-free formula, for kids getting adequate iron from the diet. This powder is free of sweeteners, preservatives, and colorants. This formula does not include the eight major allergens identified by the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004. Specifically, that means free of wheat (gluten), eggs, milk, soybeans, shellfish, fish, peanuts, and tree nuts. The powder contains all the required vitamins and minerals, in balanced amounts, designed specifically for children in their most bioavailable forms. Rather than coming as a difficult-to-swallow pill, or a chewable that looks like candy, the fine vitamin/mineral powder comes loose with a measuring scoop. This way the dose is adjustable. You can stir the powder into water, juice, or a food like applesauce for easy consumption. 

Little One™ Children’s Multivitamin

If your child is age 6 or older, and able to swallow small capsules, the Little One™ Children’s Multivitamin may be a more convenient alternative. Little One™ is also different from the base powder in that it contains a well-tolerated form of iron from Albion^®, an industry leader in mineral amino acid chelates. It also contains a range of activated B-vitamins for maximum metabolic efficiency, vitamins A and E in child-friendly doses, and vitamin D3 to support healthy vitamin d levels, even when sun exposure is low.*  

Which vitamins are most important in childhood?

Calcium 

Vitamin means “vital to life’ so they are all important for children to thrive. However, certain vitamins are especially important to children as they are growing new bone, muscle, and brain tissues.* According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most children do not get enough calcium from their diets. Calcium is required for healthy bone growth.* [1]  

Iron 

You may also notice that most kids’ multivitamin /mineral formulas fall into “with iron” or “without iron” categories. Iron is an essential mineral, and deficiency (also known as anemia) and insufficiency are fairly common in children. [2] Iron is essential for children as it supports healthy red blood cell formation and oxygen transport, as well as healthy growth and development.* [2] Iron deficiency is most common in children who have restricted diets (by choice or due to health complications), drink too much milk (more than 24 ounces/710 milliliters/ day), have specific health conditions, children who have been exposed to lead, those who don’t eat enough iron-rich foods (common in vegetarian/vegan children), and those who are overweight or obese.* [2] 

Because iron can be toxic at high levels, it is important to discuss with your pediatrician whether or not your child should be taking supplemental iron, or an iron-free kids multivitamin formula.* 

Vitamin D 

Vitamin D controls the absorption of calcium and aids in the development of bones and teeth.* [3] Even though our bodies produce vitamin D naturally after sunlight exposure, the known harmful potential of over-exposure, and associated increased rates of sunblock and sunscreen use, mean that many people require dietary/supplementary vitamin D to meet minimum requirements.* This is especially important for children who do not consume dairy, eggs, and/or fish oils, as these are the most common sources of dietary vitamin D. [1] 

• Vitamin D is necessary in childhood for proper bone formation a robust immune system, and healthy nerve growth.* [3] As vitamin D plays an important role in a healthy immune system and supports respiratory resilience during occasional seasonal immune challenges.*The cholecalciferol (D3) vitamin D contained in the Pediatric Vitamin/Mineral Base Powder is the most bioavailable form of the supplement, and it is the same type of vitamin D the body makes naturally in response to sunlight.* 

Vitamin A 

Vitamin A is also a promoter of normal growth and development.* It is a key player in tissue and bone repair, and healthy skin and eyes.* With its role in immune health, it is an important consideration for those looking to support immune resilience.* Children face pathogenic threats frequently at school and other activities. Beta-carotene (vitamin A) is a fat soluble member of the carotenoids. It is also a precursor to retinol, an essential nutrient for vision.* It is also a strong antioxidant and the best quencher of singlet oxygen.* [4] 

Vitamin K 

Yet another regulator of bone growth, Vitamin K has been shown to support bone strength and integrity by helping maintain proper calcium utilization.* [5] Zinc, copper, manganese and boron also support bone strength and integrity.* [6] 

Selenium and Iodine 

Selenium (Se) is a trace mineral that forms the active site of several antioxidant enzymes.* It is also a known to support immune modulation, along with vitamins A and D.* Selenium is also necessary to maintain proper thyroid function.* [4] Iodine is also essential to thyroid health, as it is a necessary element in the synthesis of thyroid hormone.* [7] 

B Vitamins 

The B vitamins are a large and varied family. However, they are commonly associated with cellular energy production and nervous system and cardiovascular health.* Thiamine, riboflavin, niacinamide, B6, biotin and pantothenic acid are cofactors for enzymes needed for cellular energy production.* They also contribute to metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats from the diet.* Thiamine, folate, B12 are involved in healthy brain and nerve development, as well as neurotransmitter synthesis.* [8] Methylfolate and B6 are required for homocysteine metabolism and have been linked to mood improvement.* [9] The B vitamins, through effects on neurotransmitter synthesis, can be important contributors to cognitive health.* 

Vitamins C and E 

Vitamin C is well known for it immune-supporting benefits, but it also supports connective tissue, muscles, and skin through its relationship with collagen synthesis.* [4] 

Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid. Although it is a water-soluble vitamin, it works  with fat-soluble vitamin E as an antioxidant to support cellular antioxidant defenses.* [4] Alpha-tocopherol, the most bioactive form of vitamin E, has high antioxidant potency as well.* Due to its fat-solubility, α-tocopherol protects cell membranes from oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation.* [4]  

If you are concerned that your child may not be getting all they need from diet, a multivitamin/mineral supplement may be the perfect way to fill in the nutrient gaps in your child’s diet. Pediatric Vitamin/Mineral Base Powder and the Little One™ Children’s Multivitamin are clean, well-balanced options for children. The powder is easy to mix with food or juice, easy for children to swallow and tolerate, and easy to adjust the dose. The Little One™ capsules may be more convenient for children between 6 and 12 who don’t mind swallowing capsules and would benefit from a boost of easily absorbable iron.* 

Help your child thrive by providing all the nutrients their bodies and brains need during their growing years. 

Disclaimer:
The information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult your physician or healthcare practitioner if you have specific questions before instituting any changes in your daily lifestyle including changes in diet, exercise, and supplement use.

Laura Lewis is a clinical researcher and science communicator with a Master of Science degree and a background in nutrition science and integrative health. She brings a decade of experience translating complex clinical data into accessible insights for healthcare practitioners and patients alike.

Laura has contributed to educational programming and strategic content development across the integrative and functional medicine space. Her strengths lie in evidence synthesis, practitioner engagement, and crafting communications that bridge the gap between scientific rigor and real-world application. At ARG, Laura supports clinical content development and educational initiatives that elevate practitioner confidence and product credibility.