Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

how old is too old for trick or treating

159 replies

estellacruella · 31/10/2022 14:09

My 11 year old son wants to go trick or treating tonight he loves halloween and has his costume all ready. if he does go this would be his last year as i feel he is getting too old for it. my husband thinks he is too old since he started high school in august
Do you think 11 is too old to go out round the doors or should it be ok for him too go tonight
TIA

OP posts:
Thir · 31/10/2022 16:28

I think under 14yrs for me.

Although to be honest, I've had a few teenage lads come knocking - they look 15yrs/16yrs and my DH is like bugger off you're not kids (tongue in cheek style, like he'll rib them a little bit). I always laugh and give them treats.

They know they are being cheeky but there's something a bit sweet about it.

As long as they are polite of course!

LexMitior · 31/10/2022 16:31

Not 14 plus. Little kids only, teenagers taking the piss are not welcome

StrictlyJowita · 31/10/2022 16:38

We stopped when they finished primary school and then they took over the answering the door role. They can still dress up.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Events & celebrations
FourTeaFallOut · 31/10/2022 16:40

LexMitior · 31/10/2022 16:31

Not 14 plus. Little kids only, teenagers taking the piss are not welcome

Do you turn older teens away at the door?

JaninaDuszejko · 31/10/2022 16:41

My 14 yo is going out, but my 13 yo is having friends round for a small party.

LexMitior · 31/10/2022 16:41

Unfortunately I do. Years of bigger kids taking too much. Maybe an area problem. But it's for the small ones so I prioritise them

Wheredoallthepensgo · 31/10/2022 16:45

estellacruella · 31/10/2022 14:28

for context he is a small 11 year old and i would be accompanying him round the street he knows if he goes this year its his last year. he doesnt look his age and would be very respectful and we only go to doors in our street that are actively taking part.

That sounds absolutely fine and perfectly normal. I'd say he can definitely go.

Around here the cut off is about 13/14 although there are occasionally an annoying group of older teens who will minesweep any buckets left outside, leaving nothing for anyone else. Less so now there are Ring doorbells everywhere as everyone knows everyone in my village and would dob them in to the parents Grin

LookAtThatCritter · 31/10/2022 16:47

Our neighbourhood has jell-o shots for the adults and no one cares if you have children with you or not. It's all about dressing up, having fun, and getting to know the people you live near. We're 30 and taking our 2-month-old baby. I'm sure it's some people's worst nightmare but it works for where we live!

alanabennett · 31/10/2022 16:48

11? Not too old by any means! My 14 year old is going!

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 31/10/2022 16:48

If they're old enough to go out on their own, they're too old.

Happyhappyday · 31/10/2022 16:48

People trick or treat when they are at uni where I live (US). It’s kind of obnoxious but if they are in costume, polite and it’s not super late, I’m fine with it. It’s all for fun!

Cherrysherbet · 31/10/2022 16:49

Your son would be welcome to knock on our door!
Its hallowe’en! It’s a bit of fun!
I would welcome him.

Hope he has a good evening.

Ohhelpicantthinkofaname · 31/10/2022 16:51

My 14 year old and her friends are going. 11 is fine.

alanabennett · 31/10/2022 16:56

Jesus, such fun sponges here. I'm thrilled that my middle one is now old enough to go out without parental supervision...he's going round with a group of school friends while the parents hang out at one house with some adult beverages...adulthood is long, let them be kids as long as they can.

Happyhappyday · 31/10/2022 16:58

At least half the fun of Halloween is going round by yourself with your friends… and racing back home to dump your candy haul when it gets too heavy.

Hillary17 · 31/10/2022 17:08

I think anything under 14 or so is fine. As long as there’s parents with them, I don’t mind the ages.

spiderlight · 31/10/2022 17:09

Mine went for the last time at 13, two years ago. Last year he and his friends dressed up and went for a walk to look at the decorated houses and took sweets with them to give out to younger children they passed, but they didn't knock doors. This year they're dressing up but staying at a friend's house to answer the door, so they still feel as if they're part of it but they're not looming on any old ladies' doorsteps.

ScarierThanBoo · 31/10/2022 17:12

Follow up question, what's the upper age limit on answering the door in costume? I'm 33 and this year I'm in full medieval garb asking for a friend.

TidyDancer · 31/10/2022 17:18

I think 12 and under, unless supervising younger siblings.

LoveMyCats1 · 31/10/2022 17:20

My 15 year old is 6ft I told him he can't as he might scare people stood at their door being his size 🙈 he has some tiny friends who are also 15 but can get away with it due to their size. Feel for him really he was told he was too tall for butlins softplay when he was still so young.

shreddednips · 31/10/2022 17:22

I think it's fine for tweens/teenagers as long as they actually dress up and are respectful. What I don't like is some of the really horrible masks- my little boy is 3 and we don't go, but he likes to answer the door with me and hand over the sweets. He was really scared of one last year and I had to ask them to take it off to show him it wasn't real. So as long as it's not intimidating, and they stick to houses that are clearly up for trick or treaters because of decorations/they know the people there, I think it's fine.

MissDollyMix · 31/10/2022 17:29

My 12 yo is going out with his best friend. He looks very young for his age so could easily pass for 10. I’m more concerned about them getting hassle from older kids but that said most kids round here are really polite and well behaved. I have no issue with kids of any age knocking on my door if they’re polite about it.

MingoDringo · 31/10/2022 17:34

My mum just had a couple with a baby who was asleep knock her door. They said trick or treat and said they didn't want sweets, just money. Ffs.

balalake · 31/10/2022 17:36

I'd prefer no-one, but it seems to me about 14.

thaegumathteth · 31/10/2022 17:41

Dd just turned 12 and is going out