It’s 2 a.m. and your 6-year-old wakes up in tears with aching legs again. You’ve heard it called “growing pains,” but what does that really mean—and is there anything that can actually help ease the pain?

What are growing pains and when do they happen?

Growing pains are harmless muscle aches that often affect children ages 3 to 12. They usually cause an ache or throbbing in both legs—often in the thighs, calves, or behind the knees—appearing in the late afternoon or at night and easing by morning. Despite the name, growth itself isn’t the cause. Experts believe these pains stem from muscle fatigue after an active day, and some children may simply be more sensitive to discomfort.

The pain occurs in muscles, not joints, and doesn’t affect growth or cause lasting harm. It tends to come and go over months or years before fading completely. If the pain is only on one side, lingers into the day, or isn’t eased by gentle care, it may be something other than growing pains.

Can magnesium really help, and why do people suggest it?

Magnesium often comes up in conversations about muscle pain and cramps. High quality supplements often combine magnesium with B6 as they are a fantastic combination, in this article we will focus on the magnesium. It is an essential mineral that helps muscles contract and relax normally, and it also supports healthy nerve function. Think of magnesium as a natural muscle relaxer – it helps calm down muscle fibers after they’ve been working. In adults, a lack of magnesium can lead to muscle cramps or twitching. That’s why some people wonder if boosting magnesium could ease kids’ leg pains at night. In fact, some doctors may recommend… magnesium, which helps relax muscles for children who get frequent leg cramps or growing pains. For example, a pediatrician might suggest eating magnesium-rich foods (like bananas, nuts, or leafy greens) or using an Epsom salt bath before bed. The idea is that relaxing the muscles could reduce those nighttime aches.

However, what does the science say? Thus far, research hasn’t given a clear thumbs-up to magnesium as a cure for growing pains. One children’s hospital notes that attempts to link growing pains to low magnesium levels have not been fully validated by studies. In other words, it’s not proven that kids with growing pains are magnesium-deficient or that magnesium supplements make the pain stop. Many of the claims about magnesium’s benefits come from its known role in muscle function or anecdotal reports from parents. According to Dr. Robert Shmerling of Harvard Medical School, “while magnesium deficiency can cause muscle cramps, most [people] given oral magnesium supplements do not benefit” unless they actually have a deficiency. And there’s little evidence that rubbing magnesium oil or lotion on the skin does much beyond the soothing effect of a good massage.

So, magnesium may help a child relax or sleep better, especially if they were truly low in this mineral to begin with. Ensuring your child gets enough magnesium as part of a balanced diet certainly won’t hurt – magnesium is important for growing bones and muscles in general. Just keep in mind that magnesium isn’t a guaranteed pain stopper. If you want to try a magnesium approach, focus on food first (like whole grains, beans, and green vegetables) or a warm bath with Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) as a gentle home remedy. High-dose magnesium supplements aren’t usually needed for most kids and should be discussed with a pediatrician.

What home remedies may ease growing pains?

There’s no magic cure for growing pains, but several simple home remedies may help your child feel better. Parents have found that a combination of reassurance and a few at-home treatments can go a long way. Here are some doctor-recommended approaches to soothe those sore legs:

• Gentle massage: Calmly rubbing your child’s legs can comfort them and may help the pain go away. Many children respond to a few minutes of gentle massage on the calves or thighs. Even just holding or cuddling your child during the pain can provide relief.
• Warmth: Heat can be very soothing for aching muscles. Try using a warm heating pad (on a low setting) on the painful area, or give your child a warm bath before bedtime to relax their legs. Warmth helps increase blood flow and can ease tension in the muscles. Just be sure any heating pad is not too hot and remove it when your child falls asleep.
• Stretching exercises: Encouraging light stretching of the leg muscles during the day may help reduce pain at night. For example, your child can stretch their calves, thighs (quadriceps and hamstrings), and the backs of their legs in the evening. Gentle stretches held for about 10–30 seconds can increase flexibility. Over time, regular stretching can reduce how often pains occur by relieving muscle tightness.
• Hydration: Make sure your child is drinking plenty of water, especially on very active days. Being well-hydrated helps muscles function at their best and can prevent cramps related to dehydration. Some kids tend to get more muscle cramps when they’re slightly dried out, so a glass of water in the evening and throughout the day can’t hurt (and might help those muscles recover). In fact, drinking water while gently stretching can sometimes stop an acute leg cramp more quickly. If you’re also giving your child magnesium, note that hydration supports how the body processes it. Learn more about this in a post on how magnesium can change urine color.
• Over-the-counter pain relief: If the pain is really bugging your child, an age-appropriate dose of children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help take the edge off. These pain relievers can reduce soreness and help your child settle. Always use medications as directed on the label (or by your pediatrician) for your child’s weight and age. Avoid giving aspirin to children, as it’s not safe for kids due to the risk of a rare serious reaction.

These remedies are all practical, low-risk steps you can try at home. Often, just a few minutes of attention—rubbing the legs, applying warmth—combined with calm reassurance (“I know your legs hurt; we’ll make them feel better”) will help your child relax and return to sleep. Every child is different, so you can experiment with these strategies to see which provides the most relief.

When should you see a doctor for leg pain?

Growing pains are usually nothing to worry about medically. They tend to be benign (harmless) muscle aches that go away on their own. That said, not all leg pain in children is due to growing pains. It’s important to pay attention to any unusual signs. You should call your pediatrician (or see a doctor) if your child’s leg pain:

• Persists or is present in the morning. Growing pains typically ease by morning, so pain that lingers into the day or consistently occurs every day should be evaluated.
• Is very severe or getting worse over time. If the pain is so bad that it interferes with your child’s normal activities (for instance, they don’t want to play, or they wake up crying in pain every night despite remedies), it’s worth a medical check-up.
• Affects the joints or causes visible symptoms. Growing pains are in muscles, not joints. Pain in a joint, or pain accompanied by swelling, redness, or warmth in one area, is not typical for growing pains and should be examined. For example, a swollen knee or ankle with pain could signal an injury or another issue like juvenile arthritis, not simple growing pains.
• Occurs on only one side or causes limping. Classic growing pains involve both legs (though one side might hurt more on a given night). If your child consistently has pain in only one leg or starts limping, you shouldn’t just write it off as “growing pains”. One-sided pain might indicate an injury, an orthopedic issue, or another cause that a doctor should check.
• Comes with other illness signs. Fever, loss of appetite, extreme fatigue, or unusual rashes along with leg pain are red flags. These symptoms could point to an infection or other condition that needs prompt medical attention.

In short, trust your instincts as a parent. If something doesn’t feel typical about your child’s pain—maybe it’s lasting too long, looks too intense, or your child just “seems off”—it’s wise to get a professional opinion. Your pediatrician can examine your child to rule out injuries or medical conditions. Often, a doctor will diagnose growing pains by exclusion (meaning they’ll make sure nothing else is wrong). The exam is usually normal in kids with growing pains. But checking in with a doctor can give you peace of mind and ensure you’re not missing anything that does need treatment.

The Bottom Line

Growing pains are a common and generally harmless part of childhood for many kids. They cause achy legs, usually at night, but they don’t last forever and don’t hinder your child’s growth. You can’t speed up “growing,” but you can help your child get relief with simple steps: gentle massages, warm baths or heating pads, light stretches, and a bit of comfort and reassurance. Magnesium, the muscle-relaxing mineral, plays a role in normal muscle function and might ease aches in some cases – but it’s not a foolproof cure. Make sure your child stays active, eats a balanced diet (including sources of magnesium and calcium), and gets enough hydration, as these healthy habits may cut down on muscle cramps and pains.