To ask how early is too early for trick or treating?

[RumblyGrumbleNoise]

Sorry for another Halloween thread!
Never taken my kid's trick or treating and don't really like it tbh.
I've arranged with a friend for me to knock at her house to do a trick or treat.
Just realised after chatting to ds he thinks we are actually going trick or treating to numerous houses ( been at nursery today think he's been given ideas )
Is it too early if there are houses decorated on way there and back from friends to knock? 330pm ish?
Sorry complete novice. Ages of kids are 4 and 2.

I wouldn’t mind little children coming any time from the end of school onwards. I will take the battery out of the doorbell at 7 when I put my youngest to bed. The earlier the better as far as I’m concerned, OP.

Trick or treating is scheduled here; it's from 530pm-730pm, so 3:30pm seems a bit early to me. Are you sure people will be home at that time? If your town doesn't schedule it, I guess there's no harm in knocking.

Sounds about right. Except where we are, most people will put a pumpkin out if they are happy to give out sweets, I am not sure people will have done it at that time. Maybe wait until 3.45? Then everyone will be back from school run and will be more ready!

Generally it is after tea time - time for ppl to get home from work and get organised. Also, in my area, if the outside light is on at a house you are welcome to trick or treat there.

OK. So probably a bit early then. I'll wait a bit I think. Thanks all!

They usually wait until it has gone dark here - about 5pm ish - even the small children.

I wouldn't give in just stick to going to your friends house. No one wants strangers knocking on their door!

No one wants strangers knocking on their door!

People who want to participate in trick or treating don't mind strangers knocking on their doors.

After dinner time I would say.

No one wants strangers knocking on their door! I DO!

School end onwards.

Crikey at least wait until dark.
I've just had one.
The school next door hasn't even finished for the day. 🙄

After dark.

Around here the younger children seem to start about 4pm

I'm excited too. I'll be in to answer the door for the first time this year. For countless years we've been at halloween parties then trick and treating so I''ve never spent a whole evening answering the door and doing that part of it properly.

And strangers knocking on the door is pretty much expected on Halloween

"No wants strangers knocking on their door"
Eh that's the point of trick or treating

Op, defo once its dark and about half five on. Drives me mental when the door keeps going really early when I'm trying to feed the kids and do their face paint.

If you want people to knock, put something out like a pumpkin or a decoration so they know you are 'doing' Halloween. If you don't- hide/turn off lights/don't answer door and don't leave out decorations!

We only go to houses with some Halloween 'sign' that they want to take part.

after dinner here. I don't want to see anyone before that as i will be busy

Between 5-7 I'd say. And I think it's a generally understood rule that you only knock at houses decorated or displaying a pumpkin.

I've just finished putting up Halloween decorations and am eagerly awaiting our first trick or treaters. I'm bored of waiting!

I'm going to put my spooky stuff out by the front door at 5. I'll take it away when I run out of sweets, or at about 7.30, whichever is soonest.

People do it from 6ish round my way

And strangers knocking on the door is pretty much expected on Halloween.

This definitely. I’m glad when it’s over though lol.

Any time! I am poised by my door with a bowl of sweets! I can't wait to see all the costumes for this year. I'm childless myself and I really enjoy the delight of the children in the whole thing, it's pretty much the closest I will ever get to a Christmas morning with little ones.

I think from 5pm on really, not in broad daylight.
We get most between 6&7pm.
My decorations are up but lights not on yet and pumpkin not out.