Trick or Treating

[Duckyiam71]

When do your kids stop trick or treating? Growing up, we were not allowed to go once we went to middle school. I have an eleven year old and I was thinking should I start looking for a costume or just forgo it. I know it is early to be thinking about Halloween!! Your thoughts are appreciated.

 

[worm761]

DS stopped at 13, last year was his first year not trick or treating. So I guess my rule was once the word teen was in your age. We do still let him dress up in a non scary costume to hand out candy. He likes the getting dressed up part and I can buy him a little bit of candy. I always threw away what he got trick or treating anyway since it would still be around at Christmas. I have to have the only kid that doesn't eat candy.

 

[trip]

I only keep my porch light on from 6-8 to give out candy. I don't care who comes to the door as long as they are polite and having fun!!

 

[kimblebee]

I will have to share that title with you. My daughter hardly eats her candy either. She doesn't like things that are too sweet. Her favorite cereal is bran flakes

 

[Handbag Lady]

I stopped around 12-13. Then, I made a new friend in school from another country who never trick-or-treated. So, at age 15, I took her out (and explained to the grown-ups when we got a raised eyebrow about our ages.) She had a great time and was very interested to know why people you don't know would give you candy.

 

[pigletgirl]

I stopped in the 7th grade.

 

[N&B'smom]

Why not just ask your child if he/she wants to go or not? Let them decide.

My DS11 went for a bit last year and then stayed back at our house for the rest of the time scaring people. He wants to just scare people this year.

 

[merrily]

Last year my son was a 17yo senior in HS. He put effort into having a good costume and went with some friends. They all said trick or treat and thank you. No one seemed to have a problem with that. I'd rather him doing that than drinking or getting into mischief.

 

[pixie dust 112]

I let them go as long as they want to. My oldest daughter stopped when she was about 12 and then loved to hand out candy. My younger 2 girls are in Hs and both went out trick or treating last year. lots of HS kids trick or treat around here. It doesn't bother anyone.

 

[Cat0727]

I stopped when I was 12.

 

[MIGrandma]

I believe age 12 was my last year, and for my kids as well.

I think 11 is fine to still go trick-or-treating. Does your child still want to go, or is he/she ready to quit?

 

[design_mom]

I think I stopped in 7th or 8th grade -- when I became a "teen." I hardly ever ate the candy either (and my kids don't eat nearly what they bring home -- and they only go in our small neighborhood.)

For what it's worth, I don't care what age kids are when they come to our house as long as they:
1) are in costume
2) are polite (and say "trick or treat")
3) come during our city's designated trick-or-treat hours. (I'll happily give you candy from 6-8pm, but don't ring my doorbell at 9:30 whether or not the porch light is on!)

 

[AristocatFan]

My boys stopped at 7th grade. DD stopped at 4th grade. She's never cared about candy and doesn't like chocolate.

 

[paintnolish]

I only keep my porch light on from 6-8 to give out candy. I don't care who comes to the door as long as they are polite and having fun!!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I let them go as long as they want to. My oldest daughter stopped when she was about 12 and then loved to hand out candy. My younger 2 girls are in Hs and both went out trick or treating last year. lots of HS kids trick or treat around here. It doesn't bother anyone.

Same around here.

Heck, I still dress up every year myself and go out with my kids and all the other neighborhood kids.

I love Halloween!

 

[daughtersrus]

When do your kids stop trick or treating? Growing up, we were not allowed to go once we went to middle school. I have an eleven year old and I was thinking should I start looking for a costume or just forgo it. I know it is early to be thinking about Halloween!! Your thoughts are appreciated.

My kids went through high school but part of that was because they took their younger sister.

To me, as long as they're in a real costume, not just some spray paint in their hair, I don't see a problem with it.

 

[golfgal]

Our DD still goes, the boys don't-their choice. If kids are in costume they get candy at our house. If you are a teenager and have a good costume you get a LOT of candy at our house.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Our DD still goes, the boys don't-their choice. If kids are in costume they get candy at our house. If you are a teenager and have a good costume you get a LOT of candy at our house.

 

[kristilew]

Last year, at just-turned-12, DD got to go in our neighborhood and the adjoining one with just her friends, and felt very cool about it. They coordinated their costumes and checked in regularly by cell phone. They're already talking about doing it again this year. It never occurred to me to tell her she's too old. We give candy out to any age as long as they are in costume and polite.

When I was in high school and "too old" to go myself, I always volunteered to take the kids I babysat trick or treating. The parents loved gettng to stay home and I still got candy. Win-win.

 

[Duckyiam71]

Thanks for all the replies. I was asking because I have never really noticed older kids going and did not want him to be the odd man out. We trick or treat on Colonel row on post so everyone must be in costume. He wants to go and now we can start planning his "cool" costume!