Nature's Plus Animal Parade Children's Chewable Multivitamins review

Getting the kids to take a multivitamin, especially in winter, is a great idea in theory. They aren't so tempted to constantly eat fresh fruit as in the summer when there are strawberries, cherries, apricots and nectarines filling the fruit bowl, and they need to be in tip top condition for fighting off all the cold and flu germs at school. The first sniffles are already doing their best to find a stronghold here at The Madhouse so it was the perfect time to try out these Animal Parade Children's Chewable Multivitamins from Nature's Plus.

Now, you'll have noticed that I said in theory. That's because some of the children's vitamins - and especially fish-oil supplements - that we've tried in the past have tasted decidedly ropey and even made the kids gag when swallowing them. When this cheerful orange box arrived from Nature's Plus, they were slightly reticent. Especially as in the past, they had tried some of Nature's Plus Kids' Vitamins and didn't like them (as you may have seen here). I told them to give them a go and if they were disgusting, I wouldn't make them take them !

A quick look at the label explains that a serving size is two chewable tablets. The girls tipped some out into their hands and were over the moon to see that they are all different animal shapes - in their random selection, they got a lion, a hippo, an elephant and a leopard. Having looked in the tub at the rest of the tablets, I think they actually be the only four animals in there but the girls still loved deciding which animals to choose.

On to the all important taste test, Sophie was convinced she'd hate them because there is a piece of cotton wool in the top of the tub and it smells rather unpleasant and almost chemical (despite these being totally natural). Juliette jumped in and popped them in her mouth, declaring them very nice and a bit fizzy. Sophie therefore decided to give hers a go too and said that they were actually very nice. They're dry and crunchy, like Parma Violets or those edible candy bracelets that kids always love, rather than what I would class as chewy.

For children aged 4 years +, a two tablet serving covers 100% of vitamin A, C, D3, E, B1, B2, Niacin, B6, B12 and 28% iron, 2% calcium and 67% Iodine. For a complete breakdown of the other vitamins and minerals covered, check out the product information on Nature's Plus website here, but those are the main benefits.

They are sugar-free, being sweetened with Xylitol, so only contain 5 calories per serving. I was impressed with the long list of natural ingredients used too. The website explains : "In a base of nature’s most healthful whole foods, including spirulina, carrot, broccoli, whole brown rice and spinach, Animal Parade Sugar Free Multi Chewables feature the cutting-edge nutrition of our Organic Nutrient Source Whole Food Blend, with the immune-supporting phytonutrient benefits of eight different mushrooms, plus holy basil, lemon, guava and amla (a source of naturally occurring B vitamins and Vitamin C)."

They look good, taste good and are also packed with goodness so that's a lot of plus points. On the down side, a tub only contains 45 servings - 90 tablets - so if you have more than one child, you'll have to buy a new tub every few weekshich works out quite pricey.

star rating : 4.5/5

RRP : £11.99

for more information : http://www.naturesplus.com/products/productDetail.asp?criteria=search&searchVar=29914&productnumber=29914&category=12

Other reviews you may be interested in :

Nordic Berries Multivitamin Gummies

Health Plus Kids' Supplements 

Boots Kids' Multivitamin Syrup