How old is too old for trick or treating?

[Clairenlea]

If there is a ‘too old’. Just your opinion please.

There’s nothing wrong with trick or treating and no one is threatening you. Trick or treaters will only come to your door if you put out pumpkins or some Halloween relates stuff, if not they leave you alone.

No one is going to attack you if you don’t give them candy. The way you put it like they are threatening and beating people up or something.

there are even some who just put out bowls of candy for the kids and they don’t have to knock or ring your bell simple.

stop being so miserable. If you are so antisocial and miserable that you don’t want people knocking your door then don’t put any pumpkins or Halloween stuff out and people will leave you alone.

if you’re so including put a note in your door saying stay the hello away from me to be sure. Lighten up and live a little, nothing wrong enjoying seeing little kids have fun one evening is there?

Never too old as long as they enjoy it

That sounds awesome what type of thing do they do?

Secondary school. Cute for the primary ones but any older than that, I think it's better to have a party at home

I would say older teen. Most that age wouldn't want to do it and if they do I would happily give them some sweets. In a mad world, it's still a bit of innocent fun. In the past I've given to a teen (14 ish). who wasn't dressed up but came with his pal who was. Never know what someone's home life is like and if I have the sweets anyway, what does it matter?

When they are old enough to go without a parent. That's when they should stop.

@Cantstandbullshit its actually shocking how many miserable people there is. You would think they are being forced to give out sweets.

There’s some miserable gits on this thread.

I think up to 15-16 is ok.

Older if they are not NT as they may not understand.

DD is in 1st year and this will be her last year out guising.

We also guise here in Scotland. The village really participates and dresses their homes up to participate - if there is a pumpkin outside they are happy to have people go round it’s great fun, all the kids go round with parents, we know each other etc. my youngest is Asd & loves it it’s a really fun thing for him to do and it really builds his confidence - the homes are predominantly parents of his friends or his bothers friends so they are great. He’s not even really bothered about the sweets tbh. He’s 11 this year, my 12 year old will likely go round with his friends, the last year for both I think.

by all means those who don’t like or agree don’t participate but those that do want to, and enjoy it too. I’ll be sad not taking my kids round anymore, I’ve done it with all 4 of my boys in the same village and there’s people who look forward to seeing the kids.

If some teens want to dress up and hang on to their childhood a bit longer I'm not going to deprive them of a fun size mars bar.
We do bring in the pumpkins and graveyard ghouls at about 8 but before then I don't operate an age limit.

We live on one of those roads where you see parents arriving in their cars, frantically dumping them on the kerbside and emptying out about 3 families to knock on all the doors.

That's awful

My DDs disagree about this. My 14 yo is dressing up and going out with her friends, my 13 yo says she feels too old😂.

Where I live it's well known that you only go to a door if they have a lit pumpkin outside

Over a decade ago I remember asking a woman I worked with if she was taking her 2 DC trick or treating for Halloween and her reply was NO, my children don’t need to beg other people for treats 😳
Now I have my own 4yr old DD who is a huge Halloween fan and this year would be the first year she’s old enough and not in lockdown to be able to partake but that woman’s comment just sticks in my head.

Teenagers with younger siblings are fine, I would also say over 8 isn't too old. Primary school children with their parents isn't an issue. Where I live, it's only decorated houses that you visit anyway. There's a street not far from us that go all out. It's the most quirky and eccentric street. Honestly feel like I'm in some New England town.

@Allthingsbrightandbeautifulx take your daughter, she will enjoy it. It’s a bit of fun once a year.

It isn't begging.
I'm a Scot living in the USA and I like buying sweets and handing them out.
Seeing the costumes, having a word with some of the kids about what they are wearing.
It is a fun tradition with deep roots.

Torally agree.

Like PP, it's guising here in Scotland with 'a turn' traditional. No-one gets anything at our door without a joke/ song/ dance. It can be hilarious when the teens come and you insist on a turn: we've had strapping lads sing a song/ dance as their mates do backing vocals/ provide the tunes 🤣. All in good fun. If it coincides with our annual family party (weekend nearest) we drag them in to 'dook' for apples, which everyone loves.

DS2 15 will take DS3 10 out round a few neighbours- he still enjoys it and he knows everyone they go to.

I agree with the deep roots: the Celts celebrated Samhain, using animal heads and skins. On Shetland the 'guisers' are said to take on magical powers for the night. It predates Christianity and Americanisms, although the Romans brought in the fruit element (apple dooking/ bobbing these days) as a celebration of Pomona their Saint of fruit and nature. It connects us to our past.

I think up until the end of primary school , after which having a bunch of teenagers arrive at peoples doors in the dark can be intimidating. Certainly I know my neighbours retreat to the back of their house at Halloween as they feel vulnerable at their age and won’t open the door after dark , but don’t want to provoke tricks either , so would rather keep the front of the house dark so people think no one is in .

I think people have got better in acknowledging that only decorated houses should be knocked at these days .

I'd be happy for kids to knock at whatever age they're still having fun doing it. I love seeing the groups of children out having fun. It wasn't a tradition when I was growing up but my kids absolutely love both going knocking and dishing out sweets to people knocking at ours.

To those that don't like it, don't leave a pumpkin out and you'll be left in peace! It's how it works around here anyway, people stick to that code religiously

I agree they shouldn't be coming to houses without pumpkins. That's the code for you are joining in. The pumpkin spotting is half the buzz.

I do pay for my kids sweets, because they go out, but people come to us. So it balances out. It's an exchange. A tradition. I don't understand why that's so hard for some people to get.

By your rationale, why bother exchanging gifts at Christmas, why not just buy yourself something you want?

Halloween is an ancient autumn festival. Some people enjoy it.

In answer to the op, if loads of effort has gone into the costume I don't mind what age. Teens in hoodies get sent packing.

I'd say around 13.