Too old? Trick or treating

My oldest is 16 and is still trick or treating. It's fine. But I don't live in the UK...

My DD still went trick or treating until she was 16 only because she used to take the kids that used to live down the road out to do our street and then take them all home so that if they were going to Grandparent's for a party or to go round their street she was always home by 6:30pm and then she enjoyed watching her paranormal shows to end the spooky night. My DD is now going out with my Granddaughter who is 9 she is on the spectrum of special needs and as long as she's respectful and saying her thank you's then it's when she will feel like she's too old then we will let her stop

Tbf you don't know if those kids have any learning difficulties which would mean they have the comprehension of a younger child.

Not too old at all OP.

@sanityisamyth perfectly put, my neighbour refuses to give sweets to the older teens and always side eyes me if she sees them at mine and us giving them sweets.

If I know they've been to hers and I have loads left, I always tell them to take an extra one and hope that it's in earshot of my neighbour 😆

Once we are out of sweets or gets to a time, I feel is unacceptable, our Halloweem stuff is brought inside.

While most parents and children appear to respect the undecorated rule, I have seen a few taking chances on our street, even if the house is plunged into darkness! This makes me grateful that we can lock our gates when we feel the time is right!

We've had loads of trick or treaters tonight, of all ages, & they've been great! So polite and brill costumes! I've really enjoyed it!

@sanityisamyth normally hate preachy stuff like that, but it's right on the money.

Great post (and attached pic) @sanityisamyth ! 👏 I just gave some sweets to around the 20th lot of children this evening so far! They have been coming since 5pm..In groups of 2 to 5 ... From little tiddlers of around 3, to 15-16 year olds. Many of them in the most amazing Halloween costumes! Many from my village, but some from the surrounding ones (that are smaller, with fewer people.)

One family of 6 came dressed as the Addams Family. (Parents and 4 children.) They looked awesome! And 3 teenage lads were dressed as Spiderman, Beetlejuice, and Frankenstein's Monster. Such amazing costumes. Super polite and well mannered children too - a credit to their parents.

Totally agree @sanityisamyth

@sanityisamyth 100% agree

She’s a child still, let her enjoy herself. One day she’ll be a grown up and life will be dull!
Enjoy your evening.

Saw on my FB recently -

Please be kind to any teen trick or treaters who may visit you tonight.

We complain that they spend too much time on their phones
We complain that they spend too much time in their rooms

...and yet when they go out and try to have fun with their friends we tell them that they're too old.

It doesn't matter how lacklustre or last-minute their costume (remember - when children are little their parents usually arrange and pay for them, not so for most teens, a cheap mask and a black hoodie is often all most can produce), they are still as desperate for fun as they were when they were a cute little witch or ghost.

Instead of "aren't you a bit old for this?" when they visit you tonight, try saying "it's so lovely to see you still embracing the fun!".

Happy Halloween everyone!

I don’t spend all year doing that. Young children are supervised by parents anyway.

🙄

Bless his soul. 😍 I bet he looks amazing @Hankunamatata !

@VegTrug HAS to be taking the P! 😆 Imagine being that salty and disgruntled, about a bunch of children coming round the area they live, with their amazing Halloween costumes, in the hope of a few goodies - and compliments on their hard work! I would hate to live this way.

Sorry for your benefit should I have added his has autism and has spent a month on his costume.

Me too @Soubriquet

Christ some people are spoil sports. Claiming children grow up too quick now and how sad it is, and that when they were kids, children played out for hours whilst in the same breath talking about how kids shouldn’t be out and now saying teens are too told to trick and trick.

Let them be kids. Hell I would give adults sweets if they came to the door in fancy dress saying trick or treat. It’s completely harmless fun

Well, yes. That's the point.

You spend all year telling children not to take sweets from strangers, but it's OK on October 31st.

My 16 year old and his best mate went last year. They made a real effort with their costumes and planned them for weeks. They had lots of positive comments about their costumes and their manners. Anyone is welcome to Trick or Treat here.

My DD13 is currently prepping for Halloween with 3 of her friends they're going as characters from the Wizard of Oz. She's said it will probably be the last year they do it. It's also the first time I've let her go without an adult.

@VegTrug

They've been working on costumes for weeks and I'm quite happy for him to cling on to this last bit of childhood.

Thankfully most people in this area agree.

My favourite trick or treaters are the teens.

The young kids do t always get it and just know they are dressing up (in a shop brought costume) and getting tons of sweets 😂

The older kids usually take time making a costume and I've seen whole groups go as a theme. The ones around here never take the piss with taking sweets and are always really polite. They appreciate when you've gone out of your way to get treats.

I'm the US it's much more common for older children to go as part of a family or friends group. I appreciate this isn't the US but I don't see why kids are seen differently because it's a different country.

I do however respect some people don't like Halloween and as long as people only go to houses who are clearly also celebrating I think it's fine.