How old is too old to trick or treat?

[kristenk]

I thought I'd ask the question on this board, because I think the answer might be different here than in the lounge.

DD is 11yo and still very much into trick or treating. I have no concerns that she's too old or that other people will think that she's too old. I see her trick or treating for several more years.

If your kids have stopped trick or treating, what age were they when they stopped?

[mikala]

My kids are younger but we definitely had several teens visit our house tonight. I'm totally fine with it as long as the kids are in costume and polite.

[Green_Tea]

Around here kids trick or treat all the way through middle school. I'd say that once they hit HS they are too old, but I am not in the business of denying a polite teen in a costume a piece of candy!

[Liziz]

I'm far from facing that issue myself, but I think as long as a kid is dressed up and polite, almost any age is okay. To be honest, as a parent of only young kids without much exposure to older children, I have a really hard time identifying how old a child is if they're much above 5....add in a costume, and I definitely have no clue -- so I couldn't really say how old some of our older trick or treaters are. The only thing that bothers me is that a couple years in a row, quite late we had a bunch of teens (again, hard to tell age, but they seemed "old") ring our bell with no costume (aka, jeans and t-shirts), holding out big pillowcases. No "trick-or-treat" or anything....just stared at us with bags held out.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Around here kids trick or treat all the way through middle school. I'd say that once they hot HS they are too old, but I am not in the business of denying a polite teen in a costume a piece of candy!

My experience too. I went out when I was 16. :)

I really like this https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2014/10/23/yes-that-might-be-my-teen-at-your-door-on-halloween/?tid=sm_fb

[georgiegirl]

So long as they are in costume and are respectful, I'm fine with teenagers trick or treating.

[StantonHyde]

DS didn't go this year--he just turned 13. I honestly think he couldn't think of a costume and he was having second thoughts so with those 2 elements combined, he handed out candy.

I don't care how old you are as long as you are in a costume and you say trick or treat!

[ett]

I don't care how old you are as long as you are in a costume and you say trick or treat!

:yeahthat: DS1 is 12 and he went out this year. We get lots of teens in our neighborhood. It doesn't bother me as long as they're polite.

[petesgirl]

I'm far from facing that issue myself, but I think as long as a kid is dressed up and polite, almost any age is okay. To be honest, as a parent of only young kids without much exposure to older children, I have a really hard time identifying how old a child is if they're much above 5....add in a costume, and I definitely have no clue -- so I couldn't really say how old some of our older trick or treaters are. The only thing that bothers me is that a couple years in a row, quite late we had a bunch of teens (again, hard to tell age, but they seemed "old") ring our bell with no costume (aka, jeans and t-shirts), holding out big pillowcases. No "trick-or-treat" or anything....just stared at us with bags held out.

No deal.

[Neatfreak]

I'm also in the camp where a polite teen who's making an effort is fine treat-or-treating. That being said, my own big kid isn't really into Halloween or even candy, so she didn't even go out this time. I couldn't even persuade her to escort her little sister around the block!

[KpbS]

13 or 14 I think, but I don't mind older if they aren't obnoxious or obviously making mischief! Lots of youth have fun party options so that helps the transition I think.

[JElaineB]

DS's best friend turned 13 today, so they went trick-or-treating with another friend. DH dropped them off at the elementary school at 5:30 pm and they went to the nearby neighborhoods. I had thought DH was going to go with them, but nope, he showed up at home about 5 min after he left. I asked if he gave them any rules, such as not going in anyone's houses. Nope. Argh. But everything went fine and they were done after about 2 hours. I certainly hope they were respectful and polite! I can't imagine otherwise with my son and his best friend. I don't know the other boy at all, though.

[Globetrotter]

I say until they go to college! I'll tell you why- teens are under so much stress these days as we have taken away their childhood! I make it a point to encourage fun, whenever possible, to balance the overload of homework and responsibilities.

I agree they need to be polite. As for wearing costumes, that is ideal, but I Think it's okay if they don't, esp. For boys. I also like this article: http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6030982

[stillplayswithbarbies]

my 12 year old went with her friends (and some parents) and they are already talking about what to be next year. I don't have a problem with high school kids if they wear a costume and have manners.

[emmaesplin]

Our age limit is 12. Honestly (and I do not mean to offend but this is my opinion), I think it is a bit silly to see teens who could realistically have kids of their own out trick or treating. The teens have parties and other get- togethers to attend on Halloween. To me, it is kind of like bringing a 5 year old to a prom...But, hey, I realize that I am the odd person out on this.

[egoldber]

It's funny, my older DD did not go out the last 2 years (when she was 12 and 13). But this year she asked if she could get a costume and ToT with her sister. So we did. :) And I have to say I saw a lot of kids that appeared to be in MS or early HS out this year. All were in costume and polite, so I have no issue with it.

This would have all appalled me a few years ago :) but now I get it.


teens are under so much stress these days as we have taken away their childhood! I make it a point to encourage fun, whenever possible, to balance
the overload of homework and responsibilities.

Absolutely :yeahthat: My teen has 2-3 hours of homework a night, homework every weekend, and over school holidays. I feel like she has so little time to just be a kid and goof off. We live in a very type A area and on top of that she goes to a magnet HS. They expect these kids to be mini-adults. Things like Halloween give them a chance to extend their childhood.

[pastrygirl]

No limit here! I always loved trick-or-treating as a kid, and even now enjoy seeing the really cool costumes that teens come up with. One year, I saw a pack of Angry Birds. They even each made "their" sound as they walked around. It was awesome!

[athompson]

My 6th grader went out and had a ball!
Our neighborhood had five adult trick-or-treaters this year. They were at least 40 years old, had full costumes on, were with a group that included kids and said thank you. Totally fine in my book. Now without the thank you, the kids and the costume...my answer would be different:tongue5:

[boolady]

I don't have a problem with high school kids if they wear a costume and have manners.

:yeahthat:

I am not a Halloween person; however, I don't care how old the TOTers are that come to our door as long as they're into the spirit of the whole thing.

[trcy]

My kids are younger but we definitely had several teens visit our house tonight. I'm totally fine with it as long as the kids are in costume and polite.:yeahthat:
If you are looking for a more "scientific" answer:
http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/heres-when-you-should-stop-trick-or-treating/

[KrisM]

I'm good with older kids as well. I'm not in a hurry to make kids grow up and be adults, just because they are 13 or 15 or whatever age.

DS1 is 11 and went last night. The kids we know that are in the young teens went, too.

[oneplustwo]

I'm not going to impose a time limit. My 9th grader went out ToTing with a bunch of her friends; they dressed up around the Avengers theme (and ended up with two Supermans, LOL) and had a blast. I saw tons of middle schoolers and some high schoolers out last night; all were in costume. Any that come to our door need to be polite too, but it's never been an issue.

[hellokitty]

I don't mind teenagers. As long as they took some effort to dress up and they are polite and not dropping the f bomb left and right (I cannot stand it when teens and YA use swear words around little kids), I don't care. I'd rather they be ToT, than up to no good doing other things...

[MelissaTC]

The nicest kids that knocked on my door last night were middle and high school kids. They carried on a conversation at times, complimented my makeup and decorations and wished me a good night. It was refreshing and just plain nice.

[Corie]

Both of my kids went trick-or-treating last night. My son is 11 years old and my daughter is 13 years old.

My daughter went as Maleficient and she did her own makeup. Plus she made her own Maleficient headpiece.
She looked awesome!!

[gatorsmom]

So long as they are in costume and are respectful, I'm fine with teenagers trick or treating.

:yeahthat: But last night I saw a full grown man (35-40yo) trick or treating in a full costume with his kids. He was smiling at everyone saying out loud, "why shouldn't I trick or great with my kids?" I thought he was obnoxious. THAT is where I draw the line.

[specialp]

The nicest kids that knocked on my door last night were middle and high school kids. They carried on a conversation at times, complimented my makeup and decorations and wished me a good night. It was refreshing and just plain nice.

:yeahthat: I actually like seeing older kids who are still into the fun of it.

[Tenasparkl]

But last night I saw a full grown man (35-40yo) trick or treating in a full costume with his kids. He was smiling at everyone saying out loud, "why shouldn't I trick or great with my kids?" I thought he was obnoxious. THAT is where I draw the line.

I'm all for dressing up to take the kids trick or treating, but I'm certainly not there to get my own candy. The last thing we need is MORE candy!

[123LuckyMom]

In our county each town has strict Halloween hours. This is FANTASTIC! Kids have an hour and a half to get to as many houses as they can, and by 7:30, the whole thing is over. There's not an overwhelming amount of candy, and it's pretty contained by neighborhood. We're also in a college town, so there are lots of college students and teens out. Usually they're helping out the littles, and they're not asking for candy at the doors, but they are in inventive costumes, and I always offer treats to anyone who comes to the door in costume. I figure that if you make the effort to dress up, you deserve some candy! Lots of adults dress up, too, and many houses put on a great show. It's very festive, and when you're out on the streets you end up seeing old friends you haven't seen in a while. It's kind of great, and there's really no age limit. That's how I think it should be, but I recognize that small town life is different, and it can't be like that everywhere.

[lalasmama]

DD is 11y9m and went this year. With her older sister's little ones living in town now, I assume she will ask to take them (or go with them) next year, and I'll probably say yes. Judging from last night, we still have a few years of T-o-T'ing--lots of DD's classmates/schoolmates were knocking. As with many other posters, a polite young person dressed in a costume is candy-worthy to me!

[essnce629]

DS1 is 12 and went TOT'ing this year. I can't imagine him NOT TOT'ing any time soon as it's one of his favorite things of the year! I'm pretty sure I TOT'ed with friends throughout all of high school and I definitely had teens at my house on Saturday. I was in full costume when I took the kids around and actually was offered candy but I just said "no thank you, I'm the mom!)

I did talk to a friend yesterday who said she saw parents out, with their own bags, TOT'ing for themselves along with their kids. Now that is where I draw the line! Take candy from your kids once you get home like the rest of us!!!

[squimp]

I guess it depends. My 12-yo 6th grader was excited to go, but at least 4 adults told her she was too old. She just turned 12, and was with 5 other 12-year olds. However, she is 5'6" and sadly people felt the need to single her out. Kind of a bummer.

Tons of adults were dressed up here though.

[RedSuedeShoes]

My 6' tall just-turned-15-y.o. DS went with a neighbor friend (who's actually 6 months older, but shorter) and had a blast. I used to think it was unnecessary and obnoxious and maybe greedy for teens to go, but now that I have one of my own (and know they are just giant children walking the tricky balance between growing up and staying in their comfort zones) I don't mind. Though I agree they need to be in costume and use manners and common sense (which is sometimes harder for them to do than it was just a couple years ago!). I love that HuffPo article linked up thread - it made me cry again this year!

[rlu]

DS didn't ToT at age 10, but this year wanted to. Last year he appeared to enjoy just handing out candy and saying hi to his friends as they came by. He's not the tallest kid yet so I think he can for a few more years. At 13 or a major growth spurt I guess we'll re-evaluate.

I used to take my 3-year younger sister around and once I hit high school age was told I was too old by the people handing out candy. I was so embarrassed I stayed on the sidewalk after that. It really killed my enjoyment of the whole trick or treat thing for years.

[ladysoapmaker]

Normally we have the last year at age 12 unless they are taking younger sibs. My almost 15yr old went this year but he really made sure he had a good costume. I told him he wasn't leaving the house without a costume. I don't think he'll go next year. Not sure if the almost 12 yr old will go next year.

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[Tondi G]

My oldest is 14, in 9th grade, and also happens to be 6'2'' tall! He initially wasn't sure if he would go trick or treating but 2 days before Halloween decided to buy a devil mask, wear a suit and go out with his friends! They had a great time and didn't encounter anyone questioning the 6 footer out trick or treating! We'll see what he decides to do next year!

[KpbS]

Stumbled across this old thread accidentally but was just having this conversation the other day irl. Thought I'd bump it up for Halloween. 😊

[jren]

My DD(13) is going. Most kids in her class of 8th graders still go. It's her favorite holiday. She talks about what costume she'll wear next year starting the day after Halloween.


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[PunkyBoo]

Thank you for bumping this. My 13 year old told me the other day that he thinks he's too old to go this year. He's 5'9" and said he'll just share the candy his brother gets. But I'm going to push him to go, either with us or with his friends. Last year he went to only 2 houses then had to go home (he'd suffered a bad concussion just a couple days prior, and was very weak and dizzy).

[NCGrandma]

My DD(13) is going. Most kids in her class of 8th graders still go. It's her favorite holiday. She talks about what costume she'll wear next year starting the day after Halloween.


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I hadn't even thought about my 13 y.o. DGD1 being too old! She's also very much into planning costumes etc. and started talking about costumes well before school started this year. And for the first time in years, they live in a neighborhood and don't have to drive somewhere. She *IS* tall, but hopefully won't get too many nasty comments. Since DGD2 is only 6, maybe she'll get points for being a helpful big sister [emoji6]


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[citymama]

Adult sized teens T or Ting is somewhat dubious, but middle schoolers should totally be doing so! That said, we get a bunch of high schoolers, maybe up to 9th or 10th grade, knock at our door. I'd rather my teen be T or T ing in our neighborhood than at a teen Halloween party! (DD is 11 and plans to T or T with her pals.)

[SnuggleBuggles]

Wear a costume, be polite and keep on ToT'ing into the teen years. Heck, I'll happily give candy to adults under the same rules. I don't need the candy. :)


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[o_mom]

Adult sized teens T or Ting is somewhat dubious, but middle schoolers should totally be doing so! That said, we get a bunch of high schoolers, maybe up to 9th or 10th grade, knock at our door. I'd rather my teen be T or T ing in our neighborhood than at a teen Halloween party! (DD is 11 and plans to T or T with her pals.)

Um... half the middle schoolers here are adult sized teens.....

[mom2binsd]

Usually around here they stop after 8th grade.

I'm happy if a kid has put the effort into a cool costume, and have seen some high schoolers go all out, and am happy to give them some candy!

[citymama]

Um... half the middle schoolers here are adult sized teens.....
I guess I was thinking about the 6 foot tall boys! Haven't seen any of those at our middle school...

[California]

Silly story: A couple of years ago, a friend of mine who's a very young beginning teacher decided to go T or Ting with us. She thought it would be funny to dress up and T or T too, since she can pass for a teen.

One of the first houses we went to, one of her students answered the door and yelled, "OMG IS THAT YOU MS. L??" My friend was so embarrassed. The kids were all teasing her the next day for trying to act like a kid. She T or Ted with us again this year and I noticed she held back from going to any doors :-) but the parents all thought she was a teen and would insist she come get some candy too.

[bisous]

Thank you for bumping this. My 13 year old told me the other day that he thinks he's too old to go this year. He's 5'9" and said he'll just share the candy his brother gets. But I'm going to push him to go, either with us or with his friends. Last year he went to only 2 houses then had to go home (he'd suffered a bad concussion just a couple days prior, and was very weak and dizzy).

My DS1 is the same age and the same size! I think he's planning on going.

[bisous]

Um... half the middle schoolers here are adult sized teens.....

Right. DS1 is "only" 5'9.5" tall but taller and bigger than many men and with a voice that sounds like a man, lol.

[HannaAddict]

I guess I was thinking about the 6 foot tall boys! Haven't seen any of those at our middle school...

I have a 5'11" 8th grader. Almost 6'!


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[sunshiney]

Don't think there should be an age limit...

[boolady]

Um... half the middle schoolers here are adult sized teens.....

Yep. My DD is in 5th grade, just turned 11, and is 5'4 1/4" inches. 1/4" shorter than her mother. Definitely not an adult-sized teen, just a kid having a good time.

[KrisM]

I guess I was thinking about the 6 foot tall boys! Haven't seen any of those at our middle school...

What grades is your middles school? If it doesn't include 8th grade, I can see that? But, many of the 8th grader boys are 6' tall or so. DS1 has a friend who is 6'7" and another who is 6'3". Our robotics team has a couple at 6' as well. It is not unusual for 13-14 year olds to be that tall.

[NCGrandma]

A local TV station recently reminded people that a smallish town near Raleigh has had a local ordinance for the last 45 years prohibiting TorT'ing by anyone over 12...but their reporter was unable to find anyone on the street who knew about it.


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[trcy]

A local TV station recently reminded people that a smallish town near Raleigh has had a local ordinance for the last 45 years prohibiting TorT'ing by anyone over 12...but their reporter was unable to find anyone on the street who knew about it.


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Wow! That nuts!


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[♥ms.pacman♥]

i don't think there is any such thing as too old to trick-or treat, as long as it's a kid (under 18) :)

i never understood why some ppl get upset over teens trick-or-treating, assuming they are wearing costumes and acting appropriately (not bullying other kids or doing bad things). i would assume going door to door with friends would be better than spending the whole day on their phones or playing video games, or worse (causing trouble, etc). i actually love getting teens at the door, bc usually they have very cool, unusual (often handmade) costumes.

there was a post that went viral a few years ago that was very heartwarming, about a 16yo boy and his friends going trick-or-treating, and being kind to teenagers even though they're not the adorable "cute" toddlers everyone loves to admire during Halloween. i wish i could find it again. (maybe it was Jen Hatmaker?)i don't have teens yet but i can see how it's very tough to be a teen these days and how they can totally sense the feeling of rejection and being "unwanted" by others in times like this. so i think if they get something out of dressing up and ToTing i don't see why that would be discouraged.

i supposed this sort of thing is regional. teens trick-or-treating was fairly common in the town i grew up in. i trick-or-treated with friends all the way through high-school!! one of my favorite memories was trick-or-treating with friends in my bff's neighborhood, bc everyone knew they gave out really good candy. it was a gorgeous, fairly well-off neighborhood so most kids who lived there were older as well. i am grateful to have that memory because now most of that neighborhood was burned down in the CA fires :(

[nfceagles]

My 12 year old decided he didn't want to go out this year and I was thrilled. I hate ToT, for no real reason other than I simply hate it.


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[Globetrotter]

I think senior year is the cutoff. I don’t have any issues with it- let them be kids as long as they can, as long as they are polite. I feel sad for Ds as he started a new school and doesn’t have any plans, for the first time. He enjoyed tot and coming up with a costume.

[newnana]

I saw this in our town paper and it made me think of this thread:

"from a retired Denver Police lieutenant......made me think.
For those passing out candy this year.....when a teenager comes to your door ....please give them the candy .... with out saying "aren't you too old to be doing this?". ....because they could be out doing things much worse like ....Drinking & driving, vandalizing houses and property, doing drugs, etc ... I would rather they be knocking on my door asking for candy & having safe, legal fun.....let them be kids as long as they can be.
Kids grow up way too fast. Let them spend one evening channeling their inner child ��
Also, please don't refuse a child candy because they are not dressed up. Some children cant afford it or may have special needs that make dressing up uncomfortable if not unbearable.
One last thing, size does not always determine mental age or special needs. In your eyes you may see a "teenager" or maybe even "an adult" but their mental state is of a younger child!

[essnce629]

DS1 is 14 and in 9th grade and went TOT'ing with 4 friends last night. He also dressed up at school.

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[newnana]

got to say, we had more trick or treaters this year than ever. We were thrilled because we moved here from a big trick or treating area. A good half were middle school age and older. DD is a tween and is my height, her bff (also a tween) is 7 inches taller than me. I'm short, but not that short...

Everyone was so polite! super sweet. We ended up putting bowls out on the front porch so we could both walk DD around and socialize in our neighborhood. When we passed our house there were 4 girls probably high school age surrounding our bowls being adorable with each other and deciding which 1 treat to pick and commenting how cute the signs were on the bowls that DD insisted on making. One was a teal pumpkin drawing and the other was a note about leaving treats for the other guys and ghouls. We had way too much left at the end of the night. I'd fill those teens bags if they came back.

We had a couple of high school age boys that were going around with a funny schtick they had worked on that they were doing at every house, but they didn't want any candy, just wanted to go around and perform. So cute.

Hope everyone had a great Halloween!