What age is too old to go trick or treating

[Handbag Lady]

Any age, as long as they are in costume. And of course, not rude.


I quit at about age 13. Then, I made a friend in High School who was a political refugee. I had the extreme pleasure of taking her for her first time out TOT-ing when we were 16. What a total culture shock.

I told her about growing up and getting free candy and the scare about people putting razors in apples and she told me of growing up and having her bathroom mirror shot out by terrorists as she was at her sink washing her face.

She couldn't believe that people just gave out free candy in exchange for us putting on some old costumes I had.

 

[NotUrsula]

Back in the early 70's, once we reached jr. high we switched to collecting for UNICEF rather than candy. Some people still gave us candy, but it seems more responsible to collect for charity when you get older.

You *CAN* still Trick or Treat for UNICEF; here's the website: http://youth.unicefusa.org/trickortreat/

 

[dislal]

my DD13 (will be 14 in Nov.) is really undecided she wants to go and she wants to stay home and hand out candy I told her she could go half the time and had out candy the other half of the time. I am the one having a hard time with it It just means that she is growing up and I guess I am sad about that

In my mind I can see her with all her costumes on through the years and it just makes me want to cry.

 

[Handbag Lady]

my DD13 (will be 14 in Nov.) is really undecided she wants to go and she wants to stay home and hand out candy I told her she could go half the time and had out candy the other half of the time. I am the one having a hard time with it It just means that she is growing up and I guess I am sad about that

In my mind I can see her with all her costumes on through the years and it just makes me want to cry.

Well, that just means you're a good mommy, that's all.

 

[Caropooh]

To avoid conflicts with football games on Friday & Saturday nights.

Our high school is having their homecoming game on Halloween. That sort of made the decision for my DD14 since she is in the band on if she got to ToT or not. It helped me in the decision on if she was to old or not also!

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

While I think it would be a little weird to have a 35 year old man dressed like batman knock on my door at halloween....I would still give him candy.

DH and I dress up when we take dd out. It's just fun. I don't think there should be an age limit.

 

[Hockeychic]

I usually don't care how old the kids are that come to the door, as long as there was a effort on the costume then it is fine with me.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Back in the early 70's, once we reached jr. high we switched to collecting for UNICEF rather than candy. Some people still gave us candy, but it seems more responsible to collect for charity when you get older.

You *CAN* still Trick or Treat for UNICEF; here's the website: http://youth.unicefusa.org/trickortreat/

I read that Hallmark Gold Crown stores will be giving out the kits/boxes!!!!

 

[Savsmommy]

I went trick or treating in highschool with a bunch of friends and we had the best time. I would never tell my kids they are too old to go. If they want to dress up in college and go that's fine by me. They will always have to be in a costume though if they want to trick or treat. Where we live you always trick or treat on Halloween and there are no set times.

 

[MushyMushy]

I'm surprised that there aren't more votes for the younger ages. I know in the past I've read on here that quite a few people believe only little kids should ToT.

 

[mom2boys77]

Aww see that's why I wouldn't say no to older kids. My ds is going to be 13 and still wants to trick or treat..my heart would break for him if someone did that to him.

We give candy to whomever comes to the door. And if it's a tiny little kid with his/her parent or older brother or sister, we always insist that they help themselves as well.

I do give double takes when someone comes in plain clothes, no costume, but I don't begrudge them a piece of candy. Life's too short to worry about it. I just shrug it off.

What I won't do, however, is just let a kid stick his/her hand in the bowl. MAN, kids get greedy! LOL! I dole out a piece or two at the beginning and then give out bigger portions as the night wears on so we won't have any left in the house after.

All that said, where we live, we don't get many trick or treaters at all. Few years, we didnt' get a single one, other years, we'd get three or four tops, last year, we hit a record and got about 20 or so.

This thread reminds me of when I was a kid. I'd always been tall (6'4" now) growing up and when I was 11, my friends and I went out for a night of trick or treating. We were all in costumes that we made, most were pretty cool to look at it. I had made a huge pumpkin head out of paper mache, spray painted it, cut out the jack o' lantern holes, wore a white sheet over my body and called myself The Great Pumpkin. Very proud of it!

We went to one house and the lady opened the door, gave everyone candy, then looked at me, nastily said, "Aren't you too old to trick or treat?" and gave me the hairy eyeball. I was a polite kid, told her I was only 11 and apologized for it. No idea why I was sorry I was 11 but what can you do? She then called me a liar and shut the door. I was so embarrassed and felt ashamed of myself.

First and only time we "tricked" a house when we were trick or treating.

 

[SeaShelley]

When my son was 11 he got braces just before Halloween. We made a deal...since he'd probably not be able to eat most of the candy he got, I offered to buy him and his buddy a bag of whatever they wanted (and could eat) and then we'd go out to dinner. We've been doing that ever since - DS is 14 now.

We don't get any kids at our house anyway and, to be honest, I've never liked Halloween. A fun costume party is great, but I've never been a big fan of going door to door for candy.

 

[meliss8599]

As long as you are in costume, you can come to my house and trick or treat at any age. At least they're doing that and not egging, t.p.ing, or shaving creaming people's houses. I think that if kids/teens are still in the Halloween spirit and wanting to trick or treat at that age, more power to them. I LOVE it. Stay young!!!!!!

The preteens/teens are more often than not VERY polite and they always treat my daughter sweetly when she answers the door costumed to pass out candy.

 

[BillSears]

As long a they're dressed up I'll happily give candy to anyone.

 

[Camicar]

The town I used to live in had set hours from 4-6pm. This town was a bedroom community and almost everyone who lived there commuted 30 minutes away. So unless you were a SAHM, your kid was screwed because by the time you got home and tried to feed your kid a little something so they didn't pig out on the candy from hunger, it was past 6pm.

I don't like kids over 12 trick or treating. Especially bec they don't even bother to wear a costume.

 

[C.Ann]

Any age, as long as they are in costume. And of course, not rude..

-------------------------

My thoughts as well..

 

[Tinijocaro]

As long as the kids are not being rude, and made an attempt to dress up a bit, why would it be a problem? My son gets more and more excited for Halloween every year. He's 13 now and I would feel very bad if someone told him he couldn't trick or treat. He's been talking about his costume for two months now.

 

[Tinijocaro]

Personally, I think that if you are old enough to drive and work - you can buy your own candy.

I'm planning to discourage DS from going once he gets to middle school. He's got 2 more years. After that, I think we can set up some fun way to hand out candy at home - maybe a small haunted garage or something fun. I think he would actually enjoy doing that more than running around getting candy.

I don't think Halloween is just about the candy, especially to an older kid. It's a fun night- when else do you get to dress up, go door to door and show of your cool costume to friends and neighbors?

If my kids said they didn't want to go, fine, but as long as they have a costume and the Halloween spirit- I say let them go!

 

[Mean Queen]

So you guys would think it absurd for a 16-year old to go trick or treating this year?

I don't think so. As long as you are in a real costume, polite, and show up at a reasonable time, I will give you candy. I don't like the kids that walk up to my door late, wearing regular clothes and maybe a mask, and don't say "Please", "Thank you" and "Trick or Treat."

 

[JessicaR]

Is if your in a costume, I will Gladly give out candy..

My daughter is 11 and HUGE!! Im talking 5'6 in womens shoe size 9 1\2..
Last year there were a group of 4 teens, the boys were dressed as cheerleaders and girls were dressed as football players.. Now that was funnny, and was more fun to see than the kids..

And TONS of Dogs Dressed up.. Including my dog as a clown..

We tricked or treated for 2 hours 2 kids, and got I weighed it.. 15 POUNDS of Candy..

My 11 year old too! Hes a boy, people always think he is much older.

I welcome ALL trick or treaters as long as they are in costume.