What Are The Best Vitamins for Kids to Take Daily?

Growth during the first 12 years of life is rapid and requires significant nutritional support. Bones, muscles, blood and the brain are continuously developing, meaning children need a wide range of nutrients for healthy growth. However, this can be tricky to achieve with a balanced diet alone, especially if your child is a picky eater.

Perhaps they refuse certain foods, dislike specific textures or are hesitant to try new flavours. Sound familiar? Don’t worry, most children grow out of these phases. In the meantime, nutritional supplements can help safeguard their intake and ensure they’re getting the essential nutrients needed for development and wellbeing. What vitamins should children take daily to support their health? Let’s take a look…

What Vitamins Do Children Need?

The NHS recommends that all children aged six months to five years take daily supplements containing vitamins A, C and D. These supplements are essential for supporting healthy development, the immune system and overall wellbeing. However, with busy schedules or selective eating habits, some parents may wonder: what vitamins do children need to stay healthy?

It’s natural to question which vitamins are good for kids as every child is unique, but certain nutrients are crucial for all. Vitamin D is needed for normal growth and development of bone in children, and it supports their normal function of their immune system.

In some cases, you might ask yourself: do children need daily vitamins? While a health balanced diet should also be the top prioirity, supplements can provide an effective way to ensure your child is getting vital nutrients, especially if their diet is restricted or inconsistent. Minerals like calcium and iron are also important, as calcium is needed for normal bone growth and development, while iron contributes to normal cognitive development in children. Another important mineral that children should take daily is iodine, which contributes to the normal growth of children.

Another common question many parents ask is are children's vitamins safe? The answer is yes, when taken as directed. Trusted brands like us rigorously test our supplements to meet strict safety and quality standards.

Calcium

Calcium is needed for normal growth and development of bone in children. The body uses calcium to supportbuild strong bones and teeth, making it an essential mineral for growing kids. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that Wellkid Multi-vitamin Liquid does not include calcium, as it’s not possible to include a meaningful amount in the multi-vitamin formula. For a targeted option, try Wellkid Calcium Liquid.

How Much Calcium Do Kids Need?

• Ages 1-3: 700 mg daily
• Ages 4-8: 1,000 mg daily
• Ages 9-18: 1,300 mg daily

Food Sources of Calcium

Calcium is found in dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt, as well as fish such as sardines (with bones). Plant-based sources include leafy greens like broccoli, cabbage, and fortified plant milks.

Discover our range of calcium supplements for kids.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is needed for normal growth and development of bone in children. It also contributes to the normal function of their immune system . However, it’s one of the hardest nutrients to obtain from food alone.

Our bodies manufacture vitamin D on exposure to sunshine, the levels in many countries is so weak during the winter months that our body makes little or none at all, and in the summer months we are advised to stay out of the direct sun to protect our skin from potentially harmful rays, meaning that dietary supplements are often the best way to safeguard intakes of vitamin D.

That’s why the UK Department of Health advises all children from six months to five years to take a daily vitamin D supplement. Explore our range of immune support for kids.

How Much Vitamin D Do Kids Need?

Following NHS recommendations, the vitamin D requirements for children are as follows:

• Children should get at least 400 IU/ 10 micrograms of vitamin D daily
• Babies up to 1 year: 8.5-10 micrograms daily (unless they are drinking more than 500ml /1 pint of formula a day, as formula contains added vitamins)
• Children aged 1-4 years: 10 micrograms daily throughout the year
• Adults and children over 4 years old: During autumn and winter, the sun isn’t strong enough for your body to produce sufficient vitamin D, so it’s essential to rely on dietary sources. However, as it can be challenging to obtain enough vitamin D from food alone, it’s recommended that everyone – including pregnant and breastfeeding women – considers taking a daily supplement of 10 micrograms to maintain healthy levels during these months.

Food Sources of Vitamin D

Fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel, fortified foods like breakfast cereals and egg yolks are all sources of vitamin D, but it can be hard to get the right daily amounts from food sources alone.

If dietary and sunshine sources aren’t enough, try vitamin D supplements. Explore our range of vitamin D for kids.

Iron

Iron contributes to normal cognitive development of children.. While children following vegetarian or vegan diets may find it more challenging to absorb enough iron from plant-based sources, this can be managed with careful meal planning or appropriate supplementation if needed.

How Much Iron Do Kids Need?

The British Dietetic Association (BDA) offers the following daily iron intake guidelines for children:

• Children aged 1-3 years: 6.9 mg per day
• Children aged 4-6 years: 6.1 mg per day
• Children aged 7-10 years: 8.7 mg per day
• Boys aged 11-18 years: 11.3 mg per day
• Girls aged 11-18 years: 14.8 mg per day

Food Sources of Iron

Iron-rich foods include red meat, liver, beans, lentils and fortified cereals. Pairing these with foods high in vitamin C, such as strawberries or peppers, improves iron absorption.

For younger children, iron for babies is available in the form of Feroglobin Baby Drops, providing a gentle option to help maintain healthy iron levels.

Our Best Vitamins for Kids

Vitabiotics offers a range of multivitamins tailored to specific age groups. Each product is formulated with children’s needs in mind, using the latest research to support healthy development.

• Wellbaby Multi-Vitamin Liquid (6 months-4 years)

This includes 14 essential nutrients, including vitamins A, C and D, to support growth in your baby’s early years. Its Swiss Alpine malt flavour makes it easy for little ones to enjoy.

• Wellkid Peppa Pig Multi-Vitamins (3-7 years)

Strawberry-flavour gummiespacked with vitamins A, C, D and E, plus 8 complex vitamins. These supplements help safeguard nutrition during your child’s most adventurous years.

• Wellkid Multi-Vitamin Liquid (4-12 years)

Containing 15 nutrients, including vitamins A, C and D, this orange-flavoured liquid is perfect for supporting growing kids.

• Wellkid Marvel Multi-vits (7-14 years)

Strawberry-flavour gummies with vitamins A, C, D and E, plus 8 B-complex vitamins. Ideal for active, growing kids with busy lifestyles.

Takeaway

Ensuring your child receives the nutrients they need doesn’t have to be stressful. A balanced diet is always the foundation, but supplements can provide valuable support when needed, particularly for essential nutrients like vitamin D, calcium and iron. With tailored options for every stage of development, Vitabiotics offers a range of products to help safeguard your child’s health and growth. Shop our vitamins for kids

This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professionals regarding any medical condition.