Every Halloween as I lead my children through the neighborhood from house to house Trick-or-Treating I am struck by the fact that there are so many older children joining in on the festivities. My oldest is 11 and I know that soon we will have to have that dreaded talk, no not the one about the birds and the bees, the one where I tell her,”Honey, you’re too old to go Trick-or-Treating this year!” Now I dread this talk just about more than any I will ever have to have with her, Trick-or-Treating is the one chance all year for children everywhere to get dressed up and run amuck around town while begging for free candy…could any parent dare take that away?
Surely there is a consensus among parents about the cut-off age for Trick-or-Treating, or is there? Everyone I’ve talked to seems to either be dead set in their belief that once a teenager you are done with trick-or-treating, or not sure at all. I tend to agree that after the age of 12 it’s probably better (and much more mature) to stay home and pass out candy come Halloween night. I’m sure my oldest daughter will not want to hear my thoughts on this one, but I know that next year will be her last trick-or-treating experience.
So what do you think? Do you think children should stop trick-or-treating after a certain age?
I seem to remember that there came a point around around 13 or 14 where going out trick or treating seemed like something for 'babies'. That's when I started making haunted houses in the garage to pass out candy.
ReplyDeleteThat may be a way to work it with your oldest - she still gets to dress up, still gets to eat candy and can decorate the front porch, garage or carport and be the candy giver. By the time she hits that age, she'll probably love the idea - much better than taking a chance on her school friends seeing her out with mom and the siblings. ;)
I think it's okay for them to go as teens if they have younger siblings, I see alot of teens out in the back of trucks or skateboarding from house to house, it's fun and safe for them and no worries about them getting into alot of trouble
ReplyDeleteI don't go by an age, because I think every kid is different. However, if a child reaches an age where they no longer want to dress up or think they are too old to, then they are too old for trick or treating in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteAround here 13 is the cut off age. But even in this small town we have things they can do instead like Haunted trails and houses geared towards the older kids..
ReplyDeleteMy two boys are 12 and 11 years old. This will be their last year going and they are okay with it.
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree that 13 is probably the cut-off for me when it comes to my kids so it looks like my oldest has another year!
ReplyDeleteI do also think that the child has a lot to do with it as some children do mature faster and therefore would see it as a more childish thing to do.
I know for me, when I was 12 I was bored with it, it became more fun walking my little sister around and pretending to be a "grown up" for the night!
Great answers ladies!
Loved reading everyone's responses. My oldest is 8 so I know I have several years to go--and I'm glad because I love it as much as the kids do!
ReplyDeleteAli, I'm with you...I enjoy it as much as the kids do too! My youngest just turned 2 so I have many more years of Trick-or-Treating fun ahead of me and for that I am glad!
ReplyDeleteIf I remember correctly my now 14 yr old stopped trick or treating at 12. I would still trick or treat if people would give me candy. LOL. I guess I still do since I take my 3 and 7 yr old out to get candy.
ReplyDeleteI think 12 should be the last year -- I get so frustrated when I see 16 & 17 year olds out . . . half the time they aren't even in COSTUME!
ReplyDeleteI kind of feel like if teens are willing to put in the work of a costume, they should get to trick or treat! They're better than the parents who claim they are collecting candy for their sick kid at home!
ReplyDeletei agree at about 12/13 is the cut-off. Our 14 year old stillwants to go but thats just because she likes candy, she can eat her siblings candy then
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