The Best Kids Supplements (And Why We Use Them)
“Micronutrient deficiencies in childhood can impair cognitive
development, growth, and immune function."
—World Health Organization (WHO)
As a parent and occupational therapist, I’ve always been intentional about how I support my children’s development—from their routines and environment to their nutrition. And while I believe food should always come first, the truth is, even the best diets don’t guarantee complete nutrition for growing kids. Soil depletion, selective eating, food processing, and the demands of modern life all contribute to common nutrient gaps. That’s where supplements can play a powerful role—but only if they’re truly clean, effective, and designed with kids in mind.
Most children’s supplements fall short. They’re often packed with sugar, artificial dyes, and fillers—more like candy than nutrition. What started for us with their Kids Daily Multivitamin quickly expanded into a full routine that now includes their Daily Probiotic, Bedtime Essentials, Daily Immune, and Daily Greens + Superfoods. (Note: while “Daily” is in the names, we don’t use most of them daily; more on that below.) Each product is thoughtfully formulated to meet the specific needs of children, without the junk I work hard to avoid in our home.
Hiya’s entire line is sugar-free, made with real ingredients, and packaged in refillable glass bottles my kids actually look forward to using. Aside from the excitement they get actually eating them, I’ve noticed a difference in their health—getting sick less often, sleeping better, and having more energy—when they eat these. Plus, it gives me peace of mind knowing they’re getting high-quality nutrients during this critical window of growth and development.
In this post, I’ll break down each of the Hiya supplements we use, why I trust them, and how we’ve integrated them into our daily routine.
Why Hiya?
Hiya sets itself apart in a crowded supplement market by focusing on what truly matters for children’s health. Unlike traditional gummies loaded with sugar and fillers, Hiya’s products are sugar-free, gummy-free, and made from real, whole-food ingredients. They avoid unnecessary additives and instead prioritize essential nutrients that support brain development, immunity, sleep, digestion, and energy. I haven’t found another manufacturer that can make the same claims for kid’s products.
Then there’s the bonus stuff like the refillable glass bottle (with stickers), the subscription model, and the great customer service. There have been more than one times where I sent an email to pause the subscription (when we got backed up on some vitamins due to forgetting to take them) or when I requested that we get all of the same color (red) for a month at my kid’s request. This was met with immediate and positive responses. Hiya for the win.
1. Kids Daily Multivitamin
Hiya's Kids Daily Multivitamin is a chewable (read: not gummy) tablet designed to fill common nutritional gaps in children's diets. It contains 15 essential vitamins and minerals, along with a blend of 12 organic fruits and vegetables. Notably, it is free from added sugars and gummy additives, which are often found in other children's vitamins.
Why I Use It: A child’s brain and body are growing at a pace they’ll never experience again—and that growth depends on the quality of the building blocks we give them. If their diet consists mostly of processed snacks, then those snacks literally become the raw materials for their cells. Even when kids eat relatively well, they can still fall short on essential nutrients due to factors like depleted soil, limited variety, or picky eating. Hiya’s multivitamin helps fill those common gaps with nutrients that support growth, immune strength, and healthy development. I also appreciate the inclusion of organic fruits and vegetables for naturally sourced vitamins—and just as important, there are zero added sugars, which aligns with how we eat as a family. Want some more in-depth reasons? Check out my review here.
How I Use It: Despite using these for a couple of years, the kids still wake up excited to pick their flavor from their personalized glass jar each morning with breakfast. If one kid is having a rough day, then the other will often times even bring the container over to give them their vitamin as a pick-me-up. This is the only supplement that they get on a daily basis. It comes with us on sleepovers, vacations, and camping.
2. Kids Daily Probiotic
The Kids Daily Probiotic from Hiya is a chewable supplement formulated to support children's digestive and immune health. It delivers 10 billion live cultures from three clinically researched strains tailored for children: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus paracasei, and Bacillus lactis. It also includes prebiotic fiber to nourish beneficial gut bacteria.
Why I Use It: It seems like there’s a new study coming out every day that highlights the importance of a healthy gut microbiome—and its far-reaching effects on everything from mood and immunity to metabolism and cognitive development. A well-balanced microbiome is so important, but maintaining that balance is tough in today’s world—processed foods, environmental toxins, antibiotics, and even stress can disrupt gut flora. Enter Hiya’s probiotic. It contains clinically researched strains that are shown to reduce the frequency of common illnesses and improve overall gut function. I see it as a simple, effective way to help strengthen my kids’ natural defenses and support their overall health.
How I Use It: I give my children a chewable probiotic tablet whenever they are taking a probiotic and for a week afterward. If they haven’t been on an antibiotic for a long stretch (obviously the goal) then I aim to give them each one tablet a week. There’s nothing wrong with doing this daily but honestly, the price adds up, so I try to stretch them out.
3. Kids Bedtime Essentials
Hiya's Kids Bedtime Essentials is a chewable supplement designed to support relaxation and promote restful sleep in children. Unlike many sleep aids, it is melatonin-free and instead contains a blend of ingredients such as L-theanine, magnesium, chamomile, and vitamin B6, all known for their calming properties.
Why I Use It: Establishing a calming bedtime routine is essential for my kids’ sleep quality and overall development. I avoid melatonin supplements for my children due to concerns about their impact on hormonal development, so I appreciate that Hiya uses non-habit-forming, naturally calming ingredients instead. The formula helps bridge the gap on nights when our usual routines aren’t enough—like when they didn’t burn enough energy during the day or are overstimulated from weekend events.
How I Use It: Approximately 30-45 minutes before bedtime, I give my children one chewable before they brush their teeth. This, combined with down-regulating routines like reading under red lights, is like magic. When I do this, I notice that their energy settles, their bodies relax, and they become noticeably calmer. It’s not a daily must-have, but it’s become a reliable backup that we reach for when we need extra support (including daylight savings time).
4. Kids Daily Immune
The Kids Daily Immune is a chewable tablet formulated to strengthen children's immune systems. It combines vitamins C and E, zinc, selenium, elderberry, beta-glucans from algae, and an immune fruit blend that includes organic sweet potato, apple fruit powder, camu camu, and elderberry.
Why I Use It: Supporting a child’s immune system isn’t just about preventing illness—it’s about improving how efficiently their body responds to it. Hiya’s immune blend helps prime both the innate and adaptive branches of the immune system, giving my kids a better shot at fighting off viruses before they take hold. I don’t expect this to make them invincible—but I’ve seen firsthand how it can reduce symptom severity, shorten the duration of colds, and minimize missed days at school or activities. Whether it's vitamin C enhancing white blood cell function, zinc aiding T-cell development, or beta-glucans activating macrophages and NK cells, the ingredients are thoughtfully selected to support the body’s natural defenses.
How I Use It: I try to time it with periods when I know they’re going to be sick (read: back to school, wintertime, around sick kids at a party, etc.) and give each of my children one chewable tablet daily. I keep it on hand for when the immune system needs some extra help.
5. Kids Daily Greens + Superfoods
Hiya's Kids Daily Greens + Superfoods is a powdered supplement containing 55 ingredients derived from whole foods, including vegetables, fruits, and other nutrient-dense sources. It's designed to provide the benefits of a diverse diet rich in greens and superfoods, which can be challenging to achieve with picky eaters.
Why I Use It: While Hiya’s multivitamin covers the essential micronutrients, this greens blend adds another layer, providing plant-based phytonutrients, fiber, and polyphenols that aren’t always present in typical kids' meals. It includes ingredients like spirulina, wheatgrass, chlorella, broccoli, and beets—each supporting different biological systems from liver detox to mitochondrial function. I use it to enhance dietary diversity, support digestion, and fill in the gaps on days when my kids’ plates are light on vegetables.
How I Use It: The kids help me mix a serving of the powder into their cups of milk. They love pouring the powder in and then using a frother to see it turn into chocolate milk. The powder blends well and tastes great, making it easy to incorporate into their daily routine without resistance.
