Is it safe to give kids gummy multivitamins every day?

What's actually in it

A kids' multivitamin gummy looks like a sugary treat, which is the problem. Kids chew more than one. Parents assume the formula is calibrated for a child's body. Recent testing shows that isn't always true, especially for trace minerals.

Manganese is an essential mineral at low doses. At high doses, it's a known neurotoxin. Some kids' vitamins pack 2 to 5 times the upper intake limit for a child's age group into a single daily serving, not counting what's already in the child's diet.

What the research says

A 2026 study in PLoS One analyzed manganese content in children's multivitamin supplements sold in the US. Many products contained excessive manganese at levels linked to neurodevelopmental harm when chronic. Kids who eat a balanced diet are already near their manganese ceiling from whole grains, beans, and leafy greens. A daily gummy can push them into the toxic range.

For most kids eating a typical diet, a multivitamin is unnecessary. If there's a specific gap (picky eater, vegetarian, dairy-free), a pediatrician can point to a single-nutrient supplement (just iron, or just vitamin D) rather than a broad multi that includes minerals they don't need. When buying, look at the manganese line on the label and skip any product with more than 50% of the daily value for the child's age.