Growing Pains in Kids: Symptoms, Causes, Relief, and When to Worry

A child waking at night complaining that both legs hurt can be worrying for parents, especially when there was no obvious injury during the day. One possible explanation is growing pains, a common pattern of recurring leg discomfort during childhood.

Despite the name, growing pains in kids are not proven to be caused by bones growing. They typically involve aching or throbbing pain in both legs, occur later in the day or at night, and disappear by morning. Children generally remain active and healthy between episodes.

Most cases are harmless, but not every childhood leg pain is a growing pain. Pain that affects only one side, causes swelling, persists into the morning, or interferes with walking deserves medical evaluation.

What Are Growing Pains?

Growing pains describe a pattern of recurring musculoskeletal pain that occurs in otherwise healthy children.

The discomfort usually affects muscles rather than a specific joint. Typical locations include:

Calves
Thighs
Shins
Behind the knees

Episodes commonly occur in the evening or at night. A child may even wake from sleep because their legs hurt.

By morning, however, the discomfort usually disappears, and the child can walk, run, and play normally.

What Age Do Growing Pains Usually Start?

Growing pains most commonly occur during childhood and often appear between roughly ages 3 and 12.

Symptoms may come and go over months or even years. A child might experience several episodes within one week and then have no pain for weeks.

The condition generally resolves as children get older.

What Do Growing Pains in Kids Feel Like?

Children may describe the discomfort differently depending on their age.

Common descriptions include:

Aching
Throbbing
Cramping
Soreness
Deep muscle discomfort

The pain may range from mild to uncomfortable enough to wake a child during the night.

Both Legs Are Usually Affected

One important characteristic of typical growing pains in kids is that discomfort usually occurs on both sides.

The pain does not necessarily have to be identical in each leg, but persistent pain limited to one specific location is less typical.

When Do Growing Pains Happen?

Timing provides an important clue.

Growing pains generally occur:

Late in the afternoon
During the evening
Around bedtime
During the night

A child may wake crying because their legs hurt and then wake normally the next morning.

Symptoms should not routinely cause morning stiffness or prevent normal daytime activities.

Do Growing Pains Actually Come From Growing?

Probably not.

Although the traditional name suggests that rapid bone growth causes pain, researchers have not established a direct relationship between growth spurts and these episodes.

Several alternative explanations have been proposed, including muscle fatigue, physical activity, pain sensitivity, and mechanical factors.

The exact cause remains uncertain.

Possible Causes of Growing Pains

There may not be one single explanation for every child.

Physical Activity

Some parents notice symptoms after particularly active days involving:

Running
Jumping
Sports
Playground activities
Long periods of walking

Muscle fatigue may contribute to nighttime discomfort in susceptible children.

However, ordinary physical activity does not damage growing bones.

Increased Pain Sensitivity

Some research suggests children experiencing growing pains may have a lower pain threshold than children without them.

This could help explain why normal muscular stress feels more uncomfortable.

Foot and Leg Mechanics

Researchers have also examined whether differences in posture, foot position, flexibility, or joint mobility contribute to symptoms.

Evidence is not strong enough to identify these factors as a universal cause.

Family Tendency

Growing pains may occur more frequently in some families, suggesting that genetics or shared characteristics could contribute.

Where Are Growing Pains Usually Located?

Typical locations include the muscles of the:

Thighs

Children may complain of aching at the front of their thighs.

Calves

Calf pain is another common presentation, especially after an active day.

Shins

Some children describe aching along the front of the lower legs.

Behind the Knees

Pain can occur behind the knees, but it usually does not originate from the knee joint itself.

Growing Pains vs. Other Childhood Leg Pain

Understanding the typical pattern helps parents recognize when something does not fit.

Typical Growing Pains

Usually:

Affect both legs
Occur in muscles
Begin in the evening or nighttime
Come and go
Resolve by morning
Do not cause swelling or redness
Do not cause limping
Do not prevent normal daytime activity

Less Typical Symptoms

Medical evaluation is appropriate when pain:

Consistently affects only one leg
Occurs in a specific joint
Persists throughout the day
Is present every morning
Causes limping
Progressively worsens
Follows a significant injury

These differences matter because other conditions can cause leg pain in children.

Can Growing Pains Cause Fever?

No. Fever is not a typical feature of growing pains in kids.

Leg pain accompanied by fever may be related to an infection, inflammatory condition, or another illness and should be medically evaluated.

Similarly, growing pains should not normally cause:

Joint swelling
Skin redness
Unexplained bruising
Significant weakness

Can Growing Pains Cause Limping?

Typical growing pains should not make a child limp during the day.

A child should generally be able to:

Walk normally
Run
Play
Participate in usual activities

Persistent limping is a reason to contact a healthcare professional.

How Are Growing Pains Diagnosed?

There is no single blood test or scan that confirms growing pains.

A healthcare professional generally makes the diagnosis based on:

The child’s symptoms
Location of pain
Timing
Medical history
Physical examination

When the pattern is classic and the physical examination is normal, additional testing may not be necessary.

Blood tests or imaging may be considered when symptoms are unusual or suggest another condition.

How to Help Growing Pains at Home

Simple comfort measures are often enough to manage typical episodes.

Gentle Massage

Gently massaging the painful muscles may provide comfort.

Use slow movements without pressing aggressively on painful areas.

Apply Warmth

A warm bath or heating pad may help relax sore muscles.

If using a heating pad, keep it at a safe temperature, supervise younger children, and avoid allowing a child to sleep on it.

Gentle Stretching

Light stretching of the calves and thighs may help some children.

Stretching should feel comfortable rather than painful.

Encourage Normal Activity

Children with typical growing pains generally do not need to stop playing or exercising.

Regular age-appropriate physical activity remains an important part of healthy development.

Should You Give Pain Medicine?

When discomfort is significant, a pediatric healthcare professional may recommend an age-appropriate over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Medication doses for children depend on factors such as age and weight, so follow the product instructions and your pediatrician’s guidance.

Never give aspirin to a child or teenager unless specifically directed by a healthcare professional because of its association with Reye syndrome.

Can Stretching Prevent Growing Pains?

Stretching the muscles of the legs may be useful for some children, although evidence for prevention is limited.

Simple stretches can target the:

Calves
Hamstrings
Quadriceps

If pain is frequent, a pediatrician or physical therapist can recommend age-appropriate exercises.

Do Kids Need Vitamins for Growing Pains?

Parents sometimes assume recurring leg pain means a child is deficient in vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, or another nutrient.

Growing pains alone do not prove a nutritional deficiency.

Children should receive adequate nutrients through a balanced diet, but supplements should not automatically be used to treat unexplained leg pain.

If a healthcare provider suspects a deficiency based on symptoms, diet, growth, or other risk factors, appropriate testing may be recommended.

Can Growing Pains Wake a Child Up at Night?

Yes. This is actually a characteristic pattern.

A child may go to bed feeling normal and wake later complaining of aching legs.

Parents may find it alarming, but the child typically feels normal again the next morning.

Frequent nighttime pain that consistently occurs in exactly the same location or is becoming progressively worse should be evaluated rather than automatically labeled growing pains.

How Long Do Growing Pains Last?

Individual episodes may last from minutes to several hours.

The overall pattern can continue intermittently for months or years.

Symptoms usually:

Come and go
Have pain-free periods
Do not progressively damage the legs
Eventually disappear

Growing pains do not cause arthritis or permanent damage to bones and muscles.

When Should Parents Call a Doctor?

Contact your child’s healthcare provider if leg pain:

Occurs primarily in one leg
Persists into the morning
Becomes increasingly severe
Causes limping
Limits normal activity
Occurs after a significant injury
Involves a swollen, red, or warm joint
Is accompanied by persistent weakness

Medical evaluation can determine whether another musculoskeletal or health condition is responsible.

Warning Signs That Need Prompt Evaluation

Some symptoms do not fit the typical pattern of growing pains in kids.

Seek timely medical care if leg pain occurs alongside:

Fever
Significant swelling
Redness or warmth
Inability to walk or bear weight
Unexplained weight loss
Persistent unusual fatigue
Unexplained bruising
Severe or rapidly worsening pain

These symptoms do not necessarily mean something serious is wrong, but they should not be dismissed as growing pains.

How Parents Can Track Recurring Leg Pain

If episodes occur repeatedly, keeping a simple record can help.

Note:

Which leg hurts
Exact location
Time symptoms begin
Duration
Activities performed that day
Whether pain wakes the child
Whether symptoms remain the next morning
Any associated symptoms

This information can help your pediatrician determine whether the pattern is consistent with growing pains or needs further investigation.

Final Thoughts

Growing pains in kids are a common pattern of recurring childhood leg discomfort, usually involving both legs during the evening or nighttime. Despite their name, there is no clear evidence that normal bone growth itself causes the pain.

Typical episodes disappear by morning and do not cause swelling, fever, limping, or limitations in daytime activity. Gentle massage, warmth, stretching, and reassurance may provide relief.

The pattern matters more than the name. Persistent one-sided pain, joint swelling, morning pain, fever, limping, unexplained weight loss, or difficulty walking is not typical and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are growing pains in kids?

Growing pains are recurring episodes of muscle discomfort, usually affecting both legs during the evening or nighttime in otherwise healthy children.

What age do growing pains start?

They commonly occur in children approximately 3 to 12 years old, although individual experiences vary.

Where do growing pains usually hurt?

Pain commonly affects the calves, thighs, shins, or areas behind the knees rather than a specific joint.

Can growing pains happen in only one leg?

Typical growing pains usually affect both legs. Repeated pain in only one leg should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Do growing pains mean a child is having a growth spurt?

Not necessarily. Despite the name, research has not established that rapid growth directly causes growing pains.

How can I relieve growing pains at night?

Gentle massage, a warm bath or heating pad, and comfortable stretching may help. Ask your pediatrician about appropriate pain medication if needed.

Are growing pains dangerous?

Typical growing pains are considered harmless and do not damage bones or joints. Symptoms that do not follow the usual pattern require evaluation.

When should I worry about my child’s leg pain?

Contact a healthcare provider if pain causes limping, persists during the day or morning, affects one specific area, or occurs with swelling, fever, weakness, unexplained weight loss, or difficulty walking.

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