Too old for trick or treating?

[Brian9600]

How old is too old?

For context, where we live is a lovely place for trick or treating- people put pumpkins out and decorate their houses if they want visitors and, afaik, no tricks go on at all.

12 and older

secondary school is too old. That was my cut off for my kids anyway ...

Agree with secondary school age being too old

Secondary school if not a year or so younger

Yes when they get to high school IMO

I don't think there is a specific age. My friend's son is 23 but has sn, and he scored Halloween and trick or treating.
They do tend to stay home now,but decorate the whole front of the house, dress up, and he hands out the treats to people who come.
I would hand a treat to anyone who came, as long they made some effort to dress up, even just a mask.

Adores, not scored!

12 maybe.

I don't care. As long as they are going along with the Halloween spirit and are in costume.
Teens turning up in normal clothing... just no!

Agree, once children start secondary school they don't want their parents at the school gate so they definitely won't want to go trick or treating with them.

I think first years of secondary so 11-13 is still OK if as a pp said, they are still properly dressing up, being polite and not in a massive intimidating group.
My DD had a lovely time in y7 as it was the first time she had had proper friends to go round with.

I think it’s fine up to about 14-15 but I see I’m against the grain!

if as a pp said, they are still properly dressing up, being polite and not in a massive intimidating group.

^but I also agree with this!

I was thinking of them being with younger siblings maybe

I wouldn’t like a bunch of teens at my door personally some people can find that intimidating and at those ages they won’t be out with their parents And probably expecting money tbh can’t imagine many teenagers dressing up for a couple of mini haribo packs and a lolly

Round here if your dressed up and with a adult (not older sibling) its fine.

When they're old enough to be taught not to accept sweets from strangers?

In costume, polite and having fun, 18. I'd rather they were trick or treating than wearing the awful sexy costumes and drinking.

I always have a bowl of toys and a bowl of sweets. The teenagers think for ages.

We go as a family*. One dc is 32!! Even our ddogs dress up.
*except me and dh!!
We only knock at decorated houses and aim to be home for 8pm..

How old is too old to go begging? Any age!

I live in Canada but here I'd say you stop going trick or treating in high school, which is 13/14ish. Anything under teen years is absolutely fine.

We have teens trick or treating in the village - they aren't causing trouble so I don't see the harm tbh. I think everyone only goes to decorated houses.

My 10yo will be trick or treating with a couple of friends.

@Yarboosucks

How old is too old to go begging? Any age!

I don't think it counts as begging when everyone sticks within the parameters

• kids dress up and be polite
• only visit houses with visible decorations & lights on

As someone who takes my young child out and welcomes trick-or-treaters at our house, I don’t care if they’re a teenager... if they’re in a costume and knocking on the door like everyone else they get sweets. We occasionally get groups of young secondary kids, I don’t comment when they turn up as I don’t want to make it uncool!

When they don't want to go anymore! Is there an age limit? Many older children take younger siblings out, and as long as it's done in the right way, what does it matter?
I think where you live probably makes a difference though. I'm in a small rural village where everyone knows each other, and there are never any trouble makers! I always wonder what would happen if I said trick!

@inappropriateraspberry I’m always tempted, too! I always make DS know a trick or a joke beforehand just in case someone asks him.