Nausea in Kids: Safe Remedies and Medications for Children of All Ages

Whether it’s a bumpy car ride or something your child ate that didn’t sit quite well, nausea can threaten to derail your day, but it doesn’t have to. Most childhood nausea is temporary, manageable, and — when it comes to motion sickness — very preventable with the right approach. 

This guide walks you through common causes of nausea as well as safe and effective motion sickness remedies and available over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and supplements, so you can plan for and handle this type of nausea whenever it strikes.

Why Do Children Get Nausea? Common Causes & Triggers by Age

Nausea in children is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Understanding what's behind the queasiness helps you respond with the right remedy. Beyond illness and infection, two causes you can easily respond to are motion sickness and nausea that comes from an upset stomach.

But sometimes over-the-counter nausea relief products can help, which we’ll go into further below.

Motion Sickness

Motion sickness is one of the most common and most preventable causes of nausea in children ages 2 to 12. It often begins to emerge when children are between the ages of 2 and 6. While it often goes away with age, children between ages 2 and 12 are more susceptible than adults because their sensory systems are still developing, making the inner ear more prone to sending conflicting signals to the brain.

Motion sickness happens when the brain receives conflicting information from the body's motion-sensing systems: the inner ear detects movement (the car is moving), but the eyes may see something stationary (like the seat back in a car or a book). This sensory mismatch triggers a protective response that presents as nausea, dizziness, and sometimes vomiting.

As your child becomes able to do more things for themselves and participate in more activities, they are exposed to more potential motion sickness triggers. For example, kids ages 6 to 12 and beyond may feel motion sickness from:

• Car, boat, plane and train rides
• Amusement park and carnival rides
• Playing or watching video games
• Using virtual reality headsets

All these activities can cause a mismatch between signals their eyes and body are sending their brain. 

Motion sickness typically decreases through adolescence, but some people do end up with motion sickness issues even into adulthood.

Home Remedies and Non-Medicated Relief for Children

When nausea strikes, especially if it’s mild, there may be a few effective steps you can take before reaching for any medication. 

Hydration First

Keeping your child hydrated through nausea is an important step. In fact, dehydration can cause nausea or make it worse. Offer small, frequent sips of clear liquids: water, oral rehydration solutions (like Pedialyte), clear broth, or electrolyte ice pops. Avoid sugary sodas and juices, which can make nausea worse. 

Bland, Gentle Foods

Once nausea or vomiting has settled for a few hours, ease your child back to food by choosing options from the BRAT diet: Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. These are gentle on the stomach, easy to digest, and help restore nutrients lost during vomiting. Avoid fatty, spicy, or high-sugar foods until your child is feeling fully better.

Fresh Air and Position Adjustments

For motion sickness specifically, stopping the activity and allowing your child to walk around or breathe fresh air can interrupt the nausea cycle before it gets worse. During car travel, have your child sit in the front seat (if age and size allow) or in the middle seat in the back so they can see ahead. Tell them to look at the horizon rather than screens or books, and open a window for airflow.

Ginger

Ginger has well-documented anti-nausea properties and is one of the most studied natural remedies for nausea relief across multiple causes. Its bioactive compounds (gingerols and shogaols) are thought to work directly on the GI tract to reduce nausea signals. For children, ginger can be offered as ginger tea, ginger chews, or through Advanced Herbals® products from the makers of Dramamine® (see below).

Acupressure

Applying gentle pressure to the P6 (Neiguan) point — located on the inner wrist, between the two large tendons about two finger-widths below the palm — has been shown in clinical studies to help relieve nausea. Acupressure wristbands are available at most pharmacies and are safe, non-pharmaceutical, and reusable. This is a particularly good option for children who can't take medications.

Safe Medications & Supplements for Kids: What Parents Need to Know

When the above remedies aren't enough — especially for predictable motion sickness during a family trip — you may want to combine some of these steps with a medication or supplement. Many OTC remedies offer safe, effective relief for children. Check the packaging to see for which ages the medicine is designed, and check with your child’s doctor before using any medication to understand potential side effects, especially if they have another health issue or take any other medication. 

As the #1 Doctor and Pharmacist-Recommended Brand for Motion Sickness (as named by Pharmacy Times and U.S. News & World Report, 2025), Dramamine® offers both medicated and non-medicated solutions for motion sickness and nausea. These include:

Dramamine® for Kids (Dimenhydrinate 25mg) is the only medicated motion sickness relief product formulated specifically for children ages 2–12. Each tablet contains a safe, precise dose of 25 mg (compared to 50 mg in adult formulations) of the antihistamine dimenhydrinate, which can cause drowsiness. It is appropriately dosed for smaller bodies when you follow package directions. It comes in a dye-free, grape-flavored chewable tablet — no water required.

Dramamine® Less Drowsy contains the active ingredient meclizine, which is approved for children ages 12 and older. It is not appropriate for children under 12. It offers up to 24 hours of protection in a single dose and is a strong choice for teens and adults. Dramamine® Less Drowsy comes in 3 convenient options—tablets, chewables, and a powder that dissolves on the tongue with no water needed.

Advanced Herbals® Kids Gummies offers motion sickness and nausea relief without any sedating ingredients, which makes it great for parents who prefer a non-medicated, non-drowsy approach. Made with ginger — one of the most studied natural antiemetics — these strawberry-and-ginger flavored gummies are designed to be both effective and kid-approved. Advanced Herbals® from the Makers of Dramamine® is the only brand to offer a clinically dosed ginger product in a kid-friendly format.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Age-by-Age Reference: Which Dramamine® or Advanced Herbals® Product Is Right for Your Child?

*Dietary supplement. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.

Travel Scenarios: Which Option to Choose

Not all trips are the same, so here's how to match the right remedy to the right adventure. If you’re traveling with toddlers, it’s a good idea to consult with your child’s doctor for solutions that best fit your child’s needs. Below is a general guideline.

*Dietary supplement. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Tips for Preventing Motion Sickness in Kids 

The most effective strategy for motion sickness is prevention. Here's how to set your kids up for a smoother trip:

• Dose before departure. Give Dramamine® for Kids—or other appropriate remedy—30–60 minutes before travel, not after symptoms begin.
• Choose the right seat. In a car, the front seat or the middle back seat offers the best forward view of the horizon. In a plane, request seats over the wing where turbulence is felt least. On a boat, mid-ship on the lower deck is most stable.
• Limit distractions that require near focus while moving. No reading, handheld devices, or screens during travel. These worsen the sensory mismatch that causes motion sickness.
• Look toward the horizon. Encourage your child to focus on a stable point in the far distance.
• Ventilate. Fresh, cool air can reduce nausea during travel. Open a window or direct an air vent toward your child.
• Feed wisely. Offer light, non-greasy snacks before travel. An empty or overly full stomach can make motion sickness worse.
• Take breaks. On long road trips, stop every 1½–2 hours to let kids get out, walk around, and reset.
• Test medications or supplements before the big trip. If your child hasn't used Dramamine® for Kids or an Advanced Herbals® ginger product before, try one on a shorter drive first to understand how and if they tolerate it well.

The Dramamine® Kids and Family and Advanced Herbals® Lineup

Whether you're planning a weekend trip with the family or managing unexpected nausea or motion sickness, Dramamine® offers a full line-up of products for families with children who want to do everything they can to stay active and on the go.  

*Dietary supplement. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Raising Active Kids and Limiting Queasy Interruptions

Nausea is a normal part of childhood, especially from motion sickness, but it doesn't always have to sideline your family. Whether you're dealing with a first-time case of carsickness on a road trip, managing a minor stomach upset, or navigating a child who gets queasy when using screens, knowing your options puts you in control.

With the right combination of prevention strategies, home remedies, and the trusted Dramamine® and Advanced Herbals® supplement product line, you can plan ahead, respond quickly, and keep almost any adventure going.