Trick or Treat time?

[KrystalS]

What time do you normally take your kids out trick or treating? Sunset is supposed to be around 6 here and I don't want to be out much later after dark. I was planning to leave between 4:30-5, DH thinks this is too early that no one will be ready with candy. This is our first Halloween at our current location so I don't want to go out too early. We had designated trick or treat times where we lived before.

[s7714]

We don't start until it's dark and porch lights come on. That gives people time to get home from work, eat dinner and get themselves prepared for the TOTers. ETA: Sorry, forget to include an actual time! Normally I'd say we start seeing people around 6:30 or 7. I personally don't turn on my porch light until around 7.

[khm]

Our designated time is 6-8. Many folks in my neighborhood aren't even home before 5:30. 4:30 would have been way too early here, even without the times being designated.....

I guess I'd just wait it out and see what the neighbors do, but yes, I think you are aiming a bit early. Everywhere I've lived, it has been at least close to sunset before it starts (within 30 minutes, not 1 1/2 hours before).

[cdlamis]

We usually start around 5:30-6pm.
Have fun!

[pinkmomagain]

Wow, around here the kids start as soon as they get home from school...I'd say by 3:30-4:00 they are out in full force. When it is actually dark we get very few trick or treaters...older kids, or kids who waited for parents to get home from work.

[lizajane]

daddy just left with the kids about 15 minutes ago. but i have not had ONE trick or treater. (that's our gig- he goes trick or treating and i hand out candy. how long can i get away with this???) duh, ETA: just before 7pm. it is now 7:09.

[caleymama]

We don't start until it's dark and porch lights come on. That gives people time to get home from work, eat dinner and get themselves prepared for the TOTers. ETA: Sorry, forget to include an actual time! Normally I'd say we start seeing people around 6:30 or 7. I personally don't turn on my porch light until around 7.

Same here. DH just headed out with DDs about 10 minutes ago, so about 7pm. I'm sure they could have gone earlier, but we would definitely wait until it's dark and porch lights are on.

[caheinz]

Our town's TOT hours are 4-7:30. It's 6:15 now, and I think we've gotten most of the kids already.

We went out around 5, because DS1 came home after lunch from preschool/daycare to be with visiting grandparents (leaving tomorrow) and really couldn't wait any longer.

[carolinamama]

DH left with DS1 about 30 minutes ago, so about 7:00. I am hanging out with DS2 and handing out candy. Sounds like I got the better end of this deal!

[aa2mama]

Our town's official TOT time is 5:30 to 8:00.

[pb&j]

We weren't even home till 5:30. We started getting kids not long after. I just gave out the last candy and turned out the lights around 7:30, but kids are still coming around.

[LD92599]

We started about 3:30, took a dinner break and just finished now, 8pm. I got home from work just about 3:30 and was amazed at the amount of kids already going around!

Once it's dark, we only go to houses that are totally lit up!

[misshollygolightly]

Our town's TOT time is 5:00-7:00, and we usually have a few stragglers until 7:30 (when I snuff the pumpkin candle). I would think that few people would be home any earlier. It's easier, I think, to go when it's dark, as you can tell which houses are handing out candy b/c they generally have porch lights or a candle in the pumpkin. Dark house = no candy.

[DrSally]

We did 5:30ish and people were just starting to come out. It turned dark quickly!

[Asianmommy]

We started at 4 pm. I've been told that our town ends TOT at 7 pm. Our area doesn't have sidewalks or streetlights, so it's pretty dark--you'd need a flashlight by 6 pm.

[mdb78]

Around my neighborhood, peak trick or treating time is between 7 and 8. We took dd out around 6 (well mostly for pictures since she's only almost 18 months). People were still just getting home. Then later on when the trick or treaters came, she wanted to go out, so we joined a little group and went to a few houses. She loved it!