How old is too old for trick-or-treating?

[luvflorida]

At what age do your kids stop trick-or-treating? When I was younger, (a long, long, time ago!), it seemed that most kids stopped trick-or-treating around the age of 10 or 11. Nowadays it seems common to see high-schoolers out trick-or-treating.

My daughter and her friends are all excited about Halloween this year and have been busy discussing costumes and going out trick-or-treating. Last year my daughter stayed home and handed out candy, but many of her friends did go out. They are all middle-school age, mostly 8th graders. I'm of the opinion that they're too old to go around collecting candy.

How about other opinions. How old were your kids when they stopped trick-or-treating, or do they still go out?

 

[JetMom]

I went until I was about 14. It doesn't bother me to see older kids out as long as they are into it and all dressed up. The ones that bug me are the kids who go out in steet clothes with a big old pillowcase.

So, I guess what I mean is, if they are into the whole holiday--cool
if they are just out for the candy-- not cool

 

[DoeWDW]

Trick or treat is always the same night as the weekly high school football game here. Since my kids are both in marching band, they'll be at the game. My kids went out through 8th grade, but they were usually part of a group of kids and would help watch out for the littler kids in the group.

 

[piratesmate]

How old is too old? When you go to live at the "bingo hall"!

Seriously, we only went out until about 7th or 8th grade. One year in high school we tried to go out "Pumpkin Caroling" (inspired by the Peanuts cartoon) but people didn't understand it & thought we actually wanted candy - we didn't. But today it seems fairly common to see high school students out in costumes. It was surprising at first, but I don't mind as long as they're actually dressed up & nice. (read: not trashing the kids' jack-o-lanterns, etc!)

But then it's not like we have so many trick-or-treaters that we run out of candy for little ones. We live in a rural area. The only older ones we actually get are friends of the family.

 

[Trish5768]

My son's last year was the year he was in 8th grade, after that I thought that he was just to old. He did not have a problem with that at all-it seemed like trick or treating became too babyish once he was in high school.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

I don't mind the high schoolers either. Free candy is a good thing!

 

[Kallison]

I say let them go and have fun, kids have to grow up too fast. I remember I went all dressed up with a girlfriend in 6th grade. This crotchety old lady came to the door, threw candy in our bag and said "You are too old, don't come here again next year". It really hurt my feelings! We went until about 8th grade also.

 

[MICKEY88]

most communities in the area where I live, set an age limit..of 12..

 

[Laurabearz]

If you are willing to dress up, I am willing to give you candy, regardless of your age.

 

[luvflorida]

You guys have convinced me to let her go. You're right- they do grow up too fast.

Laurabearz- I love your answer! How true!

 

[caitycaity]

you're never to old for trick-or-treating!!!

when i was in college we went trick-or-treating at all the local embassies.

 

[disykat]

My almost 10 year old, almost 11, told me he was too old this year. He is feeling a little torn about the candy though.

I guess I'm not surprised, because I stopped at the same age - 9 actually - and thought all my friends who kept going were being stupid.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>My ds decided he was too old at 12, then went again when he was 13.

My dd & her friends went in 8th grade - they were all dressed up, and had more fun walking with all the other kids than getting candy.

 

[PigletsPal]

My youngest is 12 and he informed me he was to OLD to go out trick-a-treating because he is now a Pre-Teen you know. But could I please still get him some candy.................To Funny

 

[poohandwendy]

IMHO you are too old when you refuse to wear a costume...and IMO, a ball cap is NOT a costume.

Other than that...bring on the trick-or-treaters, young and old...I love Halloween!

 

[mtemm]

we stopped somewhere either 7th or 8th grade. I do remember a couple of people having signs on their doors saying nobody over 12, please. I would never have gone when I was in high school.

I love halloween and can't wait for daniel to get old enough to get into it. last year (8 months) we dressed him up but didn't take him out, and by the time any trick or treaters came around he was in bed. This year (20 months) we may take him to one or 2 houses depending on his mood.

We had the best halloween last year just handing out candy in our new neighborhood. Every kid, young and old, were dressed up, actually said, "trick or treat!" and, "please" and, "thank you!." Even the teens that came around. I gave them handfuls of candy with joy because of it! The dad's mostly came along, usually with a beer in hand which made me laugh. I told my dh (works for a beer company) that next year (this year) we'd have some on ice so the dad's could trick or treat, too.

Prior to moving we lived just outside of Boston and used to get teens in street clothes who said nothing, just held out their pillow cases.

We have moved again (busy couple of years) and I'm curious to see what this neighborhood is like. The kids seem mostly older, and not as polite in general. We shall see though! I've got to start stocking up, soon.

Question for those who don't give candy to older kids or ones without costumes. Do you just tell them, no, you are too old, or you need a costume? I'm just curious. As much as I hate giving the ones who don't get into the spirit candy, I think I'd be afraid they'd egg my house

 

[poohandwendy]

Question for those who don't give candy to older kids or ones without costumes. Do you just tell them, no, you are too old, or you need a costume? I'm just curious. As much as I hate giving the ones who don't get into the spirit candy, I think I'd be afraid they'd egg my house

As much as I think it is ignorant to go without a costume, I don't refuse anyone candy. It's not that I fear retaliation...I just enjoy Halloween and am not going to let a few 'bad apples' spoil it for me.

 

[katerkat]

Once I got into high school, I stopped. But then junior and senior year, I went again. And then stopped again in college. Now I can't wait to have kids so I can go again! Hmmm, maybe I can dress up Wedge and Tycho and take them out... Wedge is already a black cat - very Halloweeny.

 

[Mjasp]

I don't ask for candy anymore, but when I take my kids trick or treating, I always dress up. I was going to be Mrs. Potts this year, check out the costume at www.disneystore.com but now will be ketchup while DH will be mustard. Saw the costumes at Target today and bought both of them for less than Mrs. Potts.
Last year I was the Statue of Liberty.

Edited to add...DD is 11 and in 7th grade, hopefully this will be her last year.

Can't wait for Halloween!

 

[momof3disneyholics]

You are never too old! We trick or treat with our kids every year!