If you have children in your life, you know that their wellness is of utmost importance. Whether they’re your kids, family friends, or nieces and nephews, you want the kids you love to feel their best all the time.

Kids wellness is about so much more than taking a daily vitamin or eating spinach. It should be holistic and fun too, focusing on the whole child and not just what they are or aren’t eating. Time outside, space for play and imagination, a good night’s sleep, and yes, a liquid multivitamin can all contribute to a well-rounded (and well-rested!) child.

 

Emphasize play and imagination.

Between hobbies, lessons, athletics, and other activities, your kids may not have the time to simply be kids and play. Let them be bored and create their own fun outside of staring at screens. If you have little ones, play dress up or pretend games. Challenge older kids to outdoor games or create a scavenger hunt for them.

 

Get some fresh air.

The wellness benefits of the outdoors are myriad! Spending time outside can reduce stress, support immunity, and improve mood, not to mention cultivating an appreciation for nature. Make outside time mandatory for your children each day, whether that’s with park trips, dog walks, or playtime in the yard.

Time outside lends itself to physical activity, another important aspect of wellness for children. If you’re an active family, play soccer together or go on bike rides. Visit the local pool to swim or just run around the playground together. Even 20 minutes counts!

 

Encourage trying new foods.

Kids can be extremely picky when it comes to expanding their culinary horizons, but if you’re hoping to get them out of their chicken nuggets and peanut butter sandwich comfort zone, try introducing one or two new foods a week — just don’t pressure them to try and let them do it on their own. They may be more likely to try healthy foods without the added pressure of a parent telling them they have to.

Picky eater? Try blending veggies in a fruit smoothie or experimenting with different cooking techniques; maybe your child doesn’t like steamed veggies but devours them when roasted. Your kids may also like the idea of “eating the rainbow” and filling their plates with a ROYGBIV spectrum of fruits and veggies.

Older children may be more apt to try new foods when they’re involved in making meals. Teach them the basic kitchen skills and let them lend a hand to prep dinner. If they like to bake, give them space to be creative in the kitchen.

 

Kinder Love® Gluten-Free Children’s Multivitamin & Herbal Supplement

Fill in any nutritional gaps.

Even the best meal plans and veggie swaps may not fill in all the nutritional gaps in your child’s diet. That’s where Kinder Love® Gluten-Free Children’s Multivitamin & Herbal Supplement comes in. This liquid multivitamin is formulated with calcium and vitamins A, B6, B12, D, and E to help your child get the vitamins and minerals they need to grow.* This delicious multivitamin is flavored with pear, mango, apricot, pineapple, and passionfruit concentrates and made with plant extracts to support the intestinal tract and stimulate the appetite. The liquid format means it’s easily absorbed and digested.*

 

Set bedtimes … and stick to them.

Despite what they may tell you, children need a lot of sleep to restore themselves and feel rested and happy in the morning. While you can definitely give them some wiggle room on the weekend or during the summer, setting a clear bedtime and enforcing it gives kids what they crave: routine. When they know what to expect, they’ll be less likely to fight it, so work together to find a routine that works for both parents and kids. Maybe that’s a bath, storytime, and bed for younger children, or quiet time, a glass of water, and a few minutes of reading for older kids. They’ll be thankful for those healthy sleep habits when they grow up!