Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

74 replies

RumblyGrumbleNoise · 31/10/2017 14:27

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.

OP posts:
PoisonousSmurf · 31/10/2017 15:56

As soon as it's dark. On our estate we don't have working street lights so everyone has to use torches if they want to walk down the street.
It's extra spooky at Halloween!

mathanxiety · 31/10/2017 15:56

It's a bit pointless to go out trick or treating at a time when most people are not yet home from work.

It's scheduled here, from 3 to 9. But really only a few eager souls are out getting disappointed before about 5.

Mittens1969 · 31/10/2017 15:56

I am enjoying my DDs’ excitement at the whole thing. I never got it before they started school and wanted to join in. There’s so many kids around here, it’s a fab time!! Grin

Whinesalot · 31/10/2017 15:59

I'm now hugging the cauldron of sweets, fighting off the teens to stop them from being eaten before any trick or treaters arrive...

LuckyAmy1986 · 31/10/2017 15:59

I also want people knocking on my door!!!!! If they don't, we have way, way too many sweets to eat!

Whinesalot · 31/10/2017 16:00

the sweets that is. I'm not worried about the teens being eaten Grin

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 31/10/2017 16:01

The front of my house is decorated (as are lots on my road) and the sweets are ready in the pumpkin bowl.

Most people do come slightly later but I wouldn't mind if you had very young DC and wanted to knock early (as long as house is decorated). It is more fun a bit later when they see others etc....

LagunaBubbles · 31/10/2017 16:02

No one wants strangers knocking on their door!

I think your missing the point of trick or treating! Grin

And to be perfectly honest by the time children are dressed up with face paints and masks I wouldnt recognise them even if I did know them! But half 3 is far too early and assumes that everyone is there and not at work still for example, go ahead but I doubt many people will answer their doors.

AcrossthePond55 · 31/10/2017 16:07

Growing up and with my kids (US) ToT was always in the evening. Most people had an early supper then headed out. People with little kids started around 5pm and you started seeing the more 'school age' kids starting around 6 when it got dark.

Soubriquet · 31/10/2017 16:07

I say between 5-8 really

Though I've just had a boy at the door aged around 8 in his school uniform with a tube pretending to stick out of his tummy

Bit early, not dressed up....still left with sweets Halloween Grin

mawbroon · 31/10/2017 16:10

Not until it's dark!!

123rd · 31/10/2017 16:14

I think wait till it's dark. We are going 5-6, then dc have clubs this evening.

Justgivemesomepeace · 31/10/2017 16:16

We go as soon as it goes dark. We get a few little ones quite early. I'm expecting it to start soon now

bimbobaggins · 31/10/2017 16:18

Most people round my way wait until it’s dark, however if someone came to my door just now I wouldn’t be in the least bit bothered. My pumpkins out, I’m accepting guisers of all age and not asking for proof of residency on my street so come on over

Oly5 · 31/10/2017 16:20

From about 5-7, not before or after

RaptorInaPorkPieHat · 31/10/2017 16:20

Soubriquet I had a couple at 3.20 Halloween Grin (they chuck out early round here). Year 7s walking home from school. They took a punt as I was still titivating the graveyard Halloween Wink. They were very nice and complimentary so got sweets regardless.

Normally we start getting the really young ones who are scared of the dark at about 4.30 and it goes on til 8.30 - 9.

lastnamefirstfirstnamelast · 31/10/2017 16:25

I wont get home from from work until 6 like a lot of people so i think the ideal time is around 6ish 5really finished by 7:30 xx

Warhammerwidow89 · 31/10/2017 16:34

I don't have a door to knock on (flats) so I shall be camped out outside with my bucket of sweets and DS for half an hour before we go off knocking too! I love it!

ArcheryAnnie · 31/10/2017 16:35

No one wants strangers knocking on their door!

I do! But in 15 years it's only happened twice! (Live in a block of flats.)

But I've got 50 mini-bags of haribo and some refreshers... we're ready.

Whinesalot · 31/10/2017 16:37

Pumpkin lit. Sweets at the ready...

LaBelleSausage · 31/10/2017 16:37

I hope the trick or treaters come soon or I’ll be putting up a sign like the attached!

To ask how early is too early for trick or treating?
SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 31/10/2017 16:38

No one wants strangers knocking on their door!

I hope some strangers knock on my door otherwise we're going to be eating mini bags of Haribo until Christmas!

BabychamSocialist · 31/10/2017 16:43

No idea what the system is round here. Most of the trick or treaters get spooked half way up our drive and run off! Oh the joys of living in an old creaky house with a drive lined with huge dead trees that's poorly lit. And when it's windy it howls...

Ttbb · 31/10/2017 16:56

We just had our first trick or treaters ten minutes ago so 4:45.

KitKat1985 · 31/10/2017 16:56

Usually from when it starts getting dark (so about 4.30ish) until about 7.30ish I'd say.