My kids are pretty good eaters… when they choose to be. Like most kids, they go through phases. Some days they’ll happily eat their veggies, chicken, and whole wheat pasta, and other times we’re stuck in a “beige food” phase with nothing but rice, crackers, and bagels for days. I know how important proper nutrition is at this stage for healthy growth and development, so I decided to start giving them a multivitamin to help fill in the gaps.
Choosing the right kids' multivitamin hasn’t been easy (there are so many options out there!). After diving into the research, I knew I wanted a chewable vitamin rather than a gummy. Gummies can stick to their teeth (which can contribute to the risk of cavities), and I also want to teach my kids that vitamins are part of a healthy routine, not a candy disguised as one. So, I’m comparing the top chewable vitamins for kids—Hiya Kids Daily Multivitamin and Renzo’s Picky Eater Multi—to see how they stack up.
Criteria #1: Nutrition
When I compare multivitamins, the first thing I look at is the actual nutrient content. I want vitamins that support healthy growth (like vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, calcium) and at doses that are appropriate for kids’ ages. I also value multivitamins that exclude nutrients that interfere with absorption and include use of highly-absorbable forms of each nutrient. After all, it’s not just about what’s on the label, but what actually gets absorbed. And that gives me the confidence that we’re genuinely filling in the gaps, not just checking the boxes.
And I can’t forget about added sugar. I’m specifically looking for options without it. My kids definitely don’t need any extra sugar, and I want to encourage good oral health habits early on without feeding the sugar cycle.
Hiya:
- Packed with 15+ essential vitamins and minerals
- Features a blend of 12 organic fruits and vegetables
- Uses L-5-MTHF, a bioavailable form of folate that’s easily absorbable
- Includes vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, the active and more absorbable form of vitamin D
- 0 grams of added sugar, and naturally sweetened with monk fruit extract and mannitol
Renzo’s:
- Includes 18 essential vitamins and minerals
- Contains iron, an important nutrient for kids’ development, along with zinc—though it’s worth noting that iron can interfere with zinc absorption1 which is why it's often recommended to use an iron-free multivitamin and, if needed, a separate iron supplement taken several hours apart.
- Uses L-5-MTHF, a bioavailable form of folate that’s easily absorbable
- Includes vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, the active and more absorbable form of vitamin D
- 0 grams of added sugar, and sweetened with mannitol, xylitol, and monk fruit extract
Nutrition winner: Hiya
Criteria #2: Ingredient Quality
Since supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA in the same way as medications, it’s really important to me that the ones I choose are tested for safety, quality, and purity. I’m looking for brands that go above and beyond with their standards, especially because these are for my kids.
Hiya:
- Third party tested
- Clean Label Project Certified + Purity Award
- Non-GMO, gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy free
- Made with natural colors and flavors (beet root, turmeric root, spirulina)
- Hiya is incredibly transparent about their manufacturing and testing process, and complies with federal and state safety standards, including California’s Proposition 65.
- Hiya’s bottles are third-party tested for contaminants like lead and cadmium.
Renzo’s:
- Third party tested
- Clean Label Project Certified
- Made in an NSF-certified facility
- Non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, free of allergens, no artificial colors or flavors
Ingredient quality winner: Hiya
Criteria #3: Taste and Form
Even the most perfectly formulated vitamin doesn’t matter if kids refuse to take it. A supplement is only effective if it actually gets into their bodies—which means taste is a big deal. I’m looking for vitamins that not only check all the nutritional boxes, but also pass the ultimate test: kid approval. If it doesn’t taste good to them, it’s not going to work for us.
Hiya:
Hiya vitamins have a sweet, fruity flavor without the chalky texture you sometimes get with chewables. Plus, it comes in 4 flavors! Caden says they taste a lot like Sweet Tarts! No residue whatsoever!
Renzo’s:
Renzo's Melty Tabs are dissolvable or chewable tablets that melt in your mouth and come in three flavors. They are a bit chalky in taste, and “sticky” since they are dissolvable tablets, leaving a residue in your mouth. The chalky residue also gets all over your fingers.
Taste winner: Hiya
Criteria #4: Cost
Cost is definitely important, but I’m willing to pay a little more for higher quality multivitamins.
Hiya:
$0.50/dose for the first month, then $1/dose
Renzo’s:
$0.86/dose for kids 4+ years, or $0.22/dose for kids 2 to 3 years
Cost winner: Renzo’s
Hiya Kids Multivitamin is my pick for best kids chewable vitamin!
Hiya really stands out when it comes to nutritional quality, safe ingredients, and kid-approved taste. I definitely recommend Hiya vitamins, especially if you're trying to fill in the nutritional gaps during picky eating phases. Plus, Hiya offers a standalone highly-absorbable Iron+ supplement for kids who need extra iron (and it won’t interfere with zinc!).
✅ 15 essential vitamins and minerals + a blend of 12 fruit and veggies
✅ Highly absorbable forms of important nutrients
✅ ZERO added sugars
✅ Third-party tested + Clean Label Project Certified + strict manufacturing standards
✅ Fruity, sweet, and kid-approved
Get 50% off your first purchase with code NMM50
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9701159/
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