Sleepwalking Sleepwalking is a sleep disorder affecting an estimated 10% of all humans at least once in their lives. It is far more common in kids than in adults, as most sleepwalkers outgrow it by the early teen years. It may run in families. So if you or your partner is or was a sleepwalker, your child may be too. Other factors that may bring on sleepwalking include lack of sleep, irregular sleep schedules, illness or fever, and stress. Of course, getting out of bed and walking around while still sleeping is the most obvious sleepwalking symptom. But young sleepwalkers may also sleeptalk. Also, sleepwalkers' eyes are open, but they are not awake and may not realize what they're doing. It's hard to wake them up. Sleepwalking is not usually a sign that something is emotionally or psychologically wrong with a child. And it doesn't cause any emotional harm. They probably won't even remember the nighttime stroll.