How old is too old to trick or treat?

[disykat]

Gee I guess the teens by you are just sooooo much more mature than the ones around here

On this issue, I'd say so. Probably not on others. Every area has their traditions and I'm guessing part of this might be a regional thing. Around here (and everywhere I've ever lived) the trick or treating part of Halloween is done primarily by young children. Being too old to trick or treat and finding other ways to have fun is just seen as another rite of passage.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I think the last time I trick or treated was when I was in 8th grade.

 

[The Orchid]

To me, teens trick or treating just doesn't make sense. It seems very juvenile. I would equate it to running around next to preschoolers at an Easter Egg hunt or trying to stay awake to catch Santa in the act.

I still color eggs for my 18 year old. It's fun to dye eggs! What makes it exciting for my daughter is that we hide money in plastic eggs in REALLY hard to find places and then watch her go crazy trying to get money. It's all harmless fun! And the next day we get to make deviled eggs. Why stop a fun tradition just cuz my kid had to go and become an adult? She's a big kid inside and that is what I love most about her!

And we all still believe in Santa Clause!

 

[torinsmom]

I still color eggs for my 18 year old. It's fun to dye eggs! What makes it exciting for my daughter is that we hide money in plastic eggs in REALLY hard to find places and then watch her go crazy trying to get money. It's all harmless fun! And the next day we get to make deviled eggs. Why stop a fun tradition just cuz my kid had to go and become an adult? She's a big kid inside and that is what I love most about her!

And we all still believe in Santa Clause!

Had to laugh, because my mom still hides eggs for her g-kids and they as 15, 13 and 11. We put change inside and hide them good. The kids all leave her house with $20-$25 and it is fun to see them act like little kids again.

Marsha

 

[disykat]

So glad we don't live in your part of the country. Seems pretty stale to me. My son was reading over my shoulder and said he's glad you're not his mother.

I'm sure my kids are glad you're not their mother too.

I'm surprised people get so hot over this "issue." I don't think thinking trick or treating is a children's tradition that people "outgrow" is so unusual. I hope you have fun and get lots of candy. My kids will be out having plenty of fun without the door to door.

 

[TwinsinCA]

I still color eggs for my 18 year old. It's fun to dye eggs! What makes it exciting for my daughter is that we hide money in plastic eggs in REALLY hard to find places and then watch her go crazy trying to get money. It's all harmless fun! And the next day we get to make deviled eggs. Why stop a fun tradition just cuz my kid had to go and become an adult? She's a big kid inside and that is what I love most about her!

And we all still believe in Santa Clause!

I think the difference here is that you are doing this within your own family. Presumably your 18 year old is not going to the community egg hunt and competing for eggs with a bunch of young children -- which was kind of the PP's point. When your holiday fun starts to hinge on the generosity of others, things change.

 

[disykat]

And we all still believe in Santa Clause!

That could be a whole 'nother thread! One of my biggest conflicts with my roommate at college freshman year was when I didn't fill her shoe on St. Nick Day (or something like that.) She put her shoe out expecting that it would be filled in the morning (and no, she didn't fill mine.)

 

[torinsmom]

I think the difference here is that you are doing this within your own family. Presumably your 18 year old is not going to the community egg hunt and competing for eggs with a bunch of young children -- which was kind of the PP's point. When your holiday fun starts to hinge on the generosity of others, things change.

But noone is competing for TOT candy, right? I don't see teens running over toddlers to get to the door. If anything, the teens in our group are helping the little kids. It's nice for the parents to have someone to assist the little ones while they stand at the end of the drive and watch.

Marsha

 

[The Orchid]

That could be a whole 'nother thread! One of my biggest conflicts with my roommate at college freshman year was when I didn't fill her shoe on St. Nick Day (or something like that.) She put her shoe out expecting that it would be filled in the morning (and no, she didn't fill mine.)

Fill her shoe? What were you supposed to fill it with? I've heard of filling stockings, but shoes???? That would have irritated me so much that I may have filled her shoe that night...with kitty litter (of the used variety).

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

I think if the kids or teens put effort into a costume then it's ok. We stopped going after our senior year. After that we went to parties at each others houses. I don't really care for the adults in normal clothes holding out a pillow case either. Seriously, the Walgreens is right down the street if you really need a Snickers.

 

[disykat]

Fill her shoe? What were you supposed to fill it with? I've heard of filling stockings, but shoes???? That would have irritated me so much that I may have filled her shoe that night...with kitty litter (of the used variety).

Apparently little presents. She still "believed" and so she expected them to be filled since that had been her tradition since she was born. I wouldn't call her a true "believer" though. She did "get" that it was someone else that filled them though, since she was mad at ME. She simply had no idea how to celebrate beyond that tradition and transition it into something she could enjoy as an adult or it never occured to her to do so.

Now, I'm not saying kids who didn't outgrow trick or treating will never outgrow it and enjoy other aspects of Halloween. I'm assuming they will. Most here just disagree on the age you outgrow it. It just surprises me that some think it's not something you outgrow. IMO, at some point you become the provider rather than the recipient of some traditions.

 

[kydisneyfans]

I'm 36 and still trick or treat. The kids love the adults in costume, it adds to the festive atmosphere.

 

[sasmmb]

I stopped ToT'ing in 7th grade, more by peer pressure than by choice. But still did it once in college. I have no problem with people of any age ToT'ing. The youngest last year was 6 weeks old (yeah, tell me she'll be the one eating the candy! ) but she was dressed in an adorable angel costume. And the oldest was probably around 17. I do enforce the rule of "no costume, no candy". Make up something! Tell me you are going as an April Fool, or a 7th grade school kid, or something. I may be the mean curmuddgeon, but it's my small way of stating that you need to put some effort into it, even if it's just your imagination.

 

[TwinsinCA]

But noone is competing for TOT candy, right?
Marsha

In a way they are. People only buy so much candy and when it is gone, the lights go out. If you have people of all ages trick or treating, there is less overall for the little kids.

 

[aprilgail2]

A few blocks over from us we have a group home for developmentally disabled adults...well I just answered the door and 2 of them were on the doorstep all dressed up with trick or treat bags saying trick or treat happy halloween....I guess if I was some of you people here I would have said "you are over 13, no trick or treat for you!" but I smiled, gave them EXTRA candy and they both said thank you very much and went on their way...they seemed to be really enjoying themselves and it made ME smile!

 

[disykat]

A few blocks over from us we have a group home for developmentally disabled adults...well I just answered the door and 2 of them were on the doorstep all dressed up with trick or treat bags saying trick or treat happy halloween....I guess if I was some of you people here I would have said "you are over 13, no trick or treat for you!" but I smiled, gave them EXTRA candy and they both said thank you very much and went on their way...they seemed to be really enjoying themselves and it made ME smile!

I don't think anyone here has said they don't give candy to older people, only that they think they're "too old." That is the question we were asked. I also doubt you'll find anyone who thinks people that remain developmentally children are too old.

 

[maxiesmom]

I will give out candy to anyone who comes to the door in a costume, but I think by the time you are in highschool it is time to stop trick or treating. I feel that trick or treats is meant for yournger kids. The older ones can be out at the local haunted houses and parties.

 

[punkin]

My DD17 is going out trick or treating this year with a bunch of friends. They are all in costume and I am kindly providing them with a 10 yo they are accompanying. It will take all 5 of them to protect her from the ghouls out tonight!

 

[JR6ooo4]

as long as you are wearing a definate costume, then never.

Oh also, as long as you do not waste the candy....

Mikeeee

 

[3boymthr]

We used to think that 13 was it and oldest DS was all excited to be staying home and handing out the candy tonight until he saw his younger brothers and their friend getting ready to go out and having fun. Then he was going to go with them and DH and hold the flashlight 'cause that would be cool. But he saw them having soooo much fun at the next door neighbor's house that he came tearing in the house. "Mom I need a costume." And we literally threw togther a costume (a camo jacket, and army helmet and a gun) from his brother's dress up box. He grabbed his pillowcase and off he went. I'm hoping he's having fun.