Do you make kids say "Trick or Treat"

[sam_gordon]

As I get ready to sit outside and hand out candy, I'm remembering last year. Had a number of kids that would come up and just stick out their bag. I'd prompt them with "What do you say?". I'm not talking toddlers, I'm referring to school age and older. Once they say "Trick or Treat", they get candy.

The parents with them all seemed supportive.

What say the Dis?

 

[TippyThomas]

I don't hand out candy, but I would think it's hard to know whether a child is capable or comfortable saying the words. I'd probably just err on the side of caution and give candy no matter if they say it or not. Too many variables for me to decide on the spot.

 

[LoveDaisy]

I haven’t had a kid come in about 5 years. I do have treats just in case. I would not make a kid say it, that assumes all are able to saying it.

 

[sam_gordon]

If kids are able to walk by themselves (even just up the drive), sorry, they should be able to say "Trick or Treat".

IMO, simply holding a bag out and expecting candy to be put in it sends the wrong message.

 

[VGCgroupie]

No, I dont force children I dont know to say or do anything. It's really not a big deal if they dont say trick or treat.

 

[NannyBeBe]

I don't force kids to say "Trick or Treat." They wouldn't know what it means anyway.

 

[disykat]

I think there's a balance if you don't know how comunicative they are. We don't have an easily walkable neighborhood, so I generally know anyone that comes and interact with them accordingly.

 

[gottalovepluto]

All of the sudden the kids in my area seem well behaved. Don’t recall any who have come to the door and stuck out their bag in silence. Even the teens will mumble out a “hi” or “happy Halloween”.

 

[TippyThomas]

If kids are able to walk by themselves (even just up the drive), sorry, they should be able to say "Trick or Treat".

IMO, simply holding a bag out and expecting candy to be put in it sends the wrong message.

I was just thinking of the possible neurodivergent conditions that may not be readily apparent. Just figured it's easier to let it slide just in case. I don't think either is right or wrong in their approach. Just throwing out how I'd approach it if I actually got people out at my house. I don't think I'll have to worry about it either way, living in the middle of nowhere.

 

[disneychrista]

I always insured that MY children said it. But I don't pass out candy.

 

[Kitty 34]

no, I don't.

 

[tvguy]

To be honest, any child that was too young to remember to say Trick or Treat, or had another reason, almost always had a parent right with them that prompted them to say Trick or Treat.

 

[Magical2017]

Yes, I taught my kids to say "trick or treat" and "thank you" when someone gave them candy.

As far as people coming to our door, we don't get ToTs on our little side street. I would LOVE to give out candy!

 

[Skywalker3]

Nope. I think most do though. I don’t care if they don’t . Will see what they do tonight , if we get any. Nice weather here, but we’re in a smsll neighborhood, last house (not on the left though…ha,) not a lot if kids in the neighborhood

 

[sam_gordon]

I swear there's been more kids come by than are in our neighborhood. Lol

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

Definitely not. It's Halloween, it's once a year, take a piece of candy if you like or we have some other options. It's not the night I'm trying to teach life lessons to kids. Aside from kids possibly being on the spectrum or non verbal, I would never want to put a very shy child or kid in the position to feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. And they may just be tired at the point they get to my house, especially families or groups with kids of varying ages. I'm just happy to see the kids out and about and some of them have some really unique costumes.

 

[Ning Ning]

They should say Trick or Treat and, more importantly, Thank You! If they are under two years old or so, then they get a pass from me. It's called teaching them manners.

 

[hardcorestitch]

Ah, the much needed part of verbal communication these days. They won’t get any snacks without announcing ToT. If they can chant 6-7 for no reason, they shouldn’t have a problem…

 

[Imzadi]

I don't think either is right or wrong in their approach. Just throwing out how I'd approach it if I actually got people out at my house. I don't think I'll have to worry about it either way, living in the middle of nowhere.

I seem to recall a Halloween horror movie starting out this way.

A group of small kids come up to the door in cute costumes and say, "Trick or Treat!" They walk off together with the candy. As the owner is about to close the door, she notices a teen, hanging in the back behind the kids. He's all dressed in black, wearing a white ghoul face mask. "Oh! I almost didn't see you. I didn't think there were any teens living so far out this way anymore." She peers around, "You didn't come with any friends? Well, that's okay. That means more for you then! Here you go!" She hands him some candy. He never talks. He looks down strangely at the candy given to him, then wanders off as the owner closes the door. It is then we close in on the ghoul's face and learn the ghoul face mask is not a mask. That is actually his face.

Remember, All Hallows' Eve, or Halloween is when the separation between the worlds of the living and the dead is thinnest. This "thin veil" is thought to allow spirits and ancestors to more easily cross over to the human world.

 

[amcnj]

I’d say most do say “trick or treat” or “happy Halloween”. But there can be a few that are very shy or don’t say anything for some
other reason. or just are so excited and too concerned with rushing around from house to house.

I guess the only times I think anything of it is if it is obviously older kids who come late and aren’t really costumed and don’t seem into the whole Halloween concept. But no one is refused. Even adults who aren’t dressed but see a candy being offered that they like!