3-Year-Old Vitamins: The Kids Vitamins We Actually Tried

Do kids really need vitamins? And which vitamins are actually easy to give to a 3-year-old?

As a mom of a 3-year-old, I’ve tried quite a few kids vitamins, probiotics, and elderberry supplements over the past few years.

And honestly?

Finding a vitamin my child will actually take is harder than finding a good vitamin. 😂

So here’s what we’ve tried and what we’re currently using.

Before Age 3: Multivitamin With Iron

Our pediatrician recommended a liquid multivitamin with iron before my son turned 3.

Because it contained iron, it had a slightly metallic taste, so I always gave him a small piece of fruit or snack afterward.

Liquid drops worked better for us than gummies or chewables at that age.

Our Favorite Toddler Probiotic

My son used to get ear infections almost every time he caught a cold. We had a really difficult time with recurring ear infections, and at one point, surgery was even being discussed.

Our pediatrician recommended trying a probiotic, so we tried several different types.

The one that worked best for us was:

MaryRuth’s Organic Toddler Probiotic Liquid Drops, Sugar Free, Ages 1–3

My son tolerated this one really well.

Some parents say certain probiotics can cause loose stools or just don’t agree with their child, so I think probiotics can be very individual.

One funny problem: the recommended serving was 1.5 mL, but the dropper seemed to give me only about 1 mL.

And there was absolutely no way I was getting a second dose into my toddler. 😂

I tried mixing it with juice, but he noticed the oily texture immediately.

So…1 mL it was.

After Turning 3: Multivitamin With Iron

After he turned 3, we switched to:

MaryRuth’s Organic Toddler Multivitamin Drops with Iron

I noticed the Orange Vanilla version seemed to be popular, but I chose the smaller bottle because it was less expensive. The ingredient list looked the same to me.

The downside?

It’s only 30 mL, so I go through it pretty quickly. 😂

Our pediatrician also recommended a chewable multivitamin, but I haven’t started it yet.

We previously tried Culturelle Kids Multivitamin + Probiotic Chewable, and although I thought my son would love a chewable, he quickly lost interest.

Apparently, gummies and chewables aren’t automatically toddler-approved!

And Then Came Elderberry…

When my son was having frequent ear infections, I also tried elderberry.

We started with Mommy’s Bliss Organic Baby Elderberry Drops, but the flavor was too strong for him—even when I mixed it with water.

So eventually, I took the bottle to work and finished it myself. 😂

Now we’re trying:

Nature’s Way Sambucus Kids Elderberry Immune Gummies

Unfortunately, he doesn’t exactly love these either.

I usually have to negotiate with him and offer another small snack afterward.😂

Toddler life.

Does It Actually Help?

Since August, I’ve been more consistent about giving him vitamins and a small amount of propolis honey.

This fall, he caught a cold, but surprisingly, it seemed much easier than some of his previous illnesses.

Was it because of the vitamins, probiotics, elderberry, or propolis?

I honestly don’t know.

It could simply be that he’s getting older and his immune system is developing.

So I’m not going to say these supplements prevented illness or made him healthier.

For us, they’re simply part of a bigger routine that includes balanced meals, fruits and vegetables, sleep, hand washing, and regular pediatrician visits.

My Biggest Lesson About Kids Vitamins

After trying so many products, I’ve learned one thing:

The best kids vitamin is probably the one your child will actually take.

Liquid drops, gummies, chewables, powders…

I’ve tried them all.

And my 3-year-old definitely has opinions. 😂

If you’re currently searching for kids vitamins, a multivitamin for a 3-year-old, or toddler probiotics, I hope our experience gives you a few ideas to try.

And remember—when kids get sick, parents get exhausted too.

So here’s to a healthy fall and winter for all of us! ❤️

This post shares my personal experience as a parent and is not medical advice. Talk with your child’s pediatrician before starting supplements, especially iron-containing supplements.

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