How old is too old to trick or treat?

[C.Ann]

I don't understand the way some people are so anti-teen trick or treating. If they want to grow up slower, let them. It's hard being a teenager, and there are lots of worse things they could be doing than trick or treating.

Anyone who wants to dress up and get in the spirit of Halloween gets candy - there is no age limit.

My kids went trick or treating until the end of high school.. They enjoyed creating their own costumes (no store bought costumes) and it was far better than having them fall into a roving pack of kids out to destroy property - and worse!

 

[luvmy3]

As soon as they are old enough to go out armed with shaving cream, eggs and toilet paper

 

[englishteacha]

I trick or treated till I was a sophomore in high school. Then I escorted my nephew all dressed up. I never cared about the candy...I like getting dressed up in costume! When I got to college, I dressed up when the little kids came to the dorm to trick or treat, and I dress up now for school as a teacher and to hand out candy.

We get so few trick or treaters that any who show up are welcome. Some of our church high school kids stop by to say hi and score some chocolate. They aren't usually in costume, and I don't mind because we know them. However, I get a bit irritated when kids don't even bother with a costume.

 

[aprilgail2]

Under 18 with a costume. I don't understand the way some people are so anti-teen trick or treating. If they want to grow up slower, let them. It's hard being a teenager, and there are lots of worse things they could be doing than trick or treating.

I agree! I don't care how old they are or even if they have a costume or not..knock on my door and I give you candy! Its all in good fun- no need to be a grump and say "nope, no candy cause you don't have a costume"....

 

[Angelhalo]

I agree! I don't care how old they are or even if they have a costume or not..knock on my door and I give you candy! Its all in good fun- no need to be a grump and say "nope, no candy cause you don't have a costume"....

I'd like to make a note that even though I don't like the rude, un-costumed, no thank you's teens who show up at my door, I have never denied any of them candy. It irks me, but it's not something I make a big deal out of.

 

[luvsJack]

DD (11) is still going strong and has big plans for tomorrow night. Since we now have a dgd who will start tot next year, dd might be tagging along for many more years to come.

My sons both stopped somewhere around jr. high. Then we started having Halloween parties with lots of junk food and scary movies. There is nothing funnier than a bunch of "cool" 14 year old boys watching Pet Cemetery and your cat jumps in the window

 

[java]

First year that my now 15 year old won't be trick or treating. And his friends are giving him a hard time about it. They are going as Peter Pan, Tink and Hook.(all boys by the way) and they wanted my son to be Wendy.

BUT there is a girlfriend- and she won. So they are staying here handing out candy.

My 12 year old daughter is going along with her 2 younger brothers- they are a "theme"
I have Mario Kart riders
King Boo
Toad and Toadette.

 

[Meriweather]

No age limit as long as in good spirit and in costume.
The adults in one of our neighborhoods used to go around with a wine glass

I have walked around with my DD (she was an adult) and I was dressed up. We were taking a younger friend and we all got treats.

 

[Bluestars]

We don't get a lot of teens where I live, but when we do get them they are almost always in costumes and polite. I have no problem with kids of any age TOTing.

 

[MuskratSusie]

Under 18 with a costume. I don't understand the way some people are so anti-teen trick or treating. If they want to grow up slower, let them. It's hard being a teenager, and there are lots of worse things they could be doing than trick or treating.

Agreed.

 

[clgwli]

As long as there is a costume that is well thought out there is no age limit IMO.

If a parent with their kids says "ooh you picked my favorite" I usually grab a few of those and add it in just for the parents. They like to have fun too

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I don't hand out the candy, it sits in the "honor system" bowl on the front steps. But if I did, I would be handing out candy to anyone and everyone who darkened my doorstep. Costume or not. I would much rather see a bunch of teens face to face begging for candy than not see them out and about in a pack on Halloween night. What's the harm?

 

[Liberty Belle]

My son quit when he was 11 (his choice), but I don't mind people of any age trick or treating. I just don't like it when they don't wear a costume. If you wear a costume and are 102, you're welcome at my door.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

When I was growing up in small town MN, once you turned 13 that was the last year for trick or treating.
Now that I'm in GA with my own kids, I'm sticking with that age.

I was asked this morning by a Mom with a 16 year old boy who my son hangs out with if my 14 year old can go trick or treating with her son. I nicely said No, trick or treating stops at 13 at my house.

She made a big deal out of it. Saying that kids should be allowed to be kids as long as possible. And if they like candy, why shouldn't they get it for free?
Sorry but at 16 he's a young adult and should start acting like one but I was good and kept quiet.

Today he was over at our house and bragging about how much free candy he was going to get. It really irked me and I was glad when he went home.

My 14 year old said he'd be happy to stay at home while I take DD10 out to trick or treat. He's going to wear his tie dyed T-shirt and hippy glasses while handing out candy.

 

[jeepgirl30]

I don't hand out the candy, it sits in the "honor system" bowl on the front steps. But if I did, I would be handing out candy to anyone and everyone who darkened my doorstep. Costume or not. I would much rather see a bunch of teens face to face begging for candy than not see them out and about in a pack on Halloween night. What's the harm?

I usually do the honor bowl too. I know there are kids that take more but so be it. I want to go with my young ones and sometimes DH has been away.

I also would much rather see a teen trick or treating that out sneaking beer or whatever else. Teens need fun too, who cares how old? I've had people offer me candy when i'm with the kids!

I have to chuckle at the people on a disney board saying someone is "too old", haven't there been threads fighting the misconception Disney is only for kids? Why should Halloween be only for kids?!

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

Mine are still young (8 and 2), but I quit ToTing at about age 13. I don't know yet what my kid's cutoff will be. I don't mind what the age of the ToTer, as long as they are polite, and it is before 9:30pm (and btw...I WILL not answer my door to the ToTers after 10pm).

 

[smiley]

Just curious to hear responses to my question. We just finished up trick or treat night in my neighborhood and I was surprised to see the majority of trick or treaters to be older middle to early high school age. I even had an adult come up trick or treating.

It made me think, how old is too old to trick or treat? When do your kids stop trick or treating and start handing out candy?

I didn't read through the thread, but here's my take on it. No one past the age of twelve should be out trick or treating. Once you're a teenager you should be handing out the treats, not taking them.

 

[C.Ann]

I didn't read through the thread, but here's my take on it. No one past the age of twelve should be out trick or treating. Once you're a teenager you should be handing out the treats, not taking them.

Why?

 

[PrincessKsMom]

My almost 14 year old DD will be going TOT tomorrow night with her friends. They still dress up, in costumes, every year. In my house, Halloween is our favorite holiday. We also did our first MNSSHP this year. She attends her school's party, then TOT with her friends, then she'll come home and help me hand out candy. I think it's great that kids are comfortable enough at older ages to still TOT.

FWIW, my DD is also NOT participating in Mischief Night tonight. She was asking about it. I told her what we used to do when I was her age and she thought it was stupid.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I also wanted to add to my answer that I do hand out candy to everyone who comes to the door while the light is on even if I think they are too old or they don't have a costume.