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Original poster

Too old? Trick or treating

129 replies

Looneymahooney · 30/10/2024 21:54

Quick question.

My 13-year-old daughter would like us to go trick or treating tomorrow. By us, I mean me and my 4 month old.

Are we out of the age brackets for trick or treating?

OP posts:
Crispynoodle · 30/10/2024 22:25

I live in NI and even today everyone from 0-85 were on the streets of Derry dressed in costume

Victoriancat · 30/10/2024 22:26

Nope, Halloween is for everyone 🎃

Nothatgingerpirate · 30/10/2024 22:30

noworklifebalance · 30/10/2024 21:56

I think it is too old. I have teens/tweens and when I see children of this age knocking on strangers’ doors for sweets I think it looks a bit grabby tbh.

Oh, once a year, a bit of fun, surely....

DifficultBloodyWoman · 30/10/2024 22:31

If she is in a good costume, nobody will know how old she is!

TubeScreamer · 30/10/2024 22:32

Primary age only here

KvotheTheBloodless · 30/10/2024 22:33

It's fine! All kids welcome, from 0 to 18, as long as they're polite, make an effort, and say thank you.

If they're teens in a big group, they shouldn't wear masks as that can be intimidating to some people - make up is better.

beenwhereyouare · 30/10/2024 22:33

This.

Too old? Trick or treating
EsmeSusanOgg · 30/10/2024 22:35

I love it when teens/ tweens still enjoy dressing up and being kids. Take her and the baby.

GetDownkeith · 30/10/2024 22:36

Not too old at all.
Around here they seem to drop off when they start secondary school because they are too cool for it.
They pick it up again around 14 and do it for a year or two as a last hurrah to their childhood.
They always make loads of effort with their costumes and in Scotland they have to do a turn to get their sweets and some groups have gone to great effort and I had almost a small choir on my doorstep one night. They could be up to much worse.

Hurdlin · 30/10/2024 22:39

Would she not go with her friends? My 13 yo wouldn't be seen dead guising with her mother!

MrsPeterHarris · 30/10/2024 22:40

Go go go - kids are little for such a short period of time so as long as they're respectful, I'm more than happy with older kids (even 6'2" teen boys!) knocking on my door!

Velvetcupcakes · 30/10/2024 22:42

I think it’s important to give to everyone. I’m in North America and don’t understand the “too old” thing. Yes, by high school most have stopped trick-or-treating but keep in mind there are delayed or impaired SN adolescents/teens out there that might still love dressing up and getting treats in their bag.

noworklifebalance · 30/10/2024 22:45

beenwhereyouare · 30/10/2024 22:33

This.

You lost me on “Karen…”

Anyway, going trick or treating and partying are not mutually exclusive

Ponderingwindow · 30/10/2024 22:45

Let kids be kids.

the older teens who still come around have generally been some of the most polite trick or treaters I get.

The only ones who are ever rude are the 11-12yo boys. I still want them to come trick or treating. If they are out and about they aren’t causing problems elsewhere. They are also seeing the older teens behaving themselves.

13 is when they start to get polite again. The 15-16 year olds are fantastic. Tend to be really creative with costumes and also help out younger children along the way.

MrsPeterHarris · 30/10/2024 22:46

Ponderingwindow · 30/10/2024 22:45

Let kids be kids.

the older teens who still come around have generally been some of the most polite trick or treaters I get.

The only ones who are ever rude are the 11-12yo boys. I still want them to come trick or treating. If they are out and about they aren’t causing problems elsewhere. They are also seeing the older teens behaving themselves.

13 is when they start to get polite again. The 15-16 year olds are fantastic. Tend to be really creative with costumes and also help out younger children along the way.

This is so true!

blahblahblahhhhh · 30/10/2024 22:50

My 13 year old is trick or treating, along with myself and SIL. DS 5, nephews 9, 10 and 11.

not sure he’ll want to next year.

This year he’s going as David Bowie so that’ll be interesting as it is 😂

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 30/10/2024 22:51

Absolutely NOT too old! We have around 50 children in our village, around half under 11, and half 12-18. They pretty much all come around trick-or-treating. (Oldest are 15-16.) No reason why not. As has been said, in America, they still do it up to around 20! Going out in groups.

It's a bit of fun. I am really looking forward to it tomorrow. Got loads of sweets and goodies for the kids! Smile As well as LOADS of Halloween decorations, and a cracking outfit for it!

beenwhereyouare · 30/10/2024 22:54

noworklifebalance · 30/10/2024 22:45

You lost me on “Karen…”

Anyway, going trick or treating and partying are not mutually exclusive

Show quote history

Wow. Really?
A friend shared and I think it's a terrific post.
I'd pass out even to the big kids with no costumes and just a pillowcase to carry their candy home.

I taught at the lowest socioeconomic school on my district for 23 years. Some families can't afford costumes and pails. Or the good candy.

Why does something so easy to do to make a kid happy bother you?

Emptyspiral · 30/10/2024 22:54

I always see it as a good thing. They are teens choosing to go trick or treating instead of going to a party or sitting around playing video games. I don't even care if they have a costume. I always give the big kids an extra big handful of candy. They are still kids after all and deserve a little fun too. 🎃

AmICrazyToEvenBother · 30/10/2024 22:57

Aw, totally fine IMO.

TerrysNeapolitan · 30/10/2024 23:04

blahblahblahhhhh · 30/10/2024 22:50

My 13 year old is trick or treating, along with myself and SIL. DS 5, nephews 9, 10 and 11.

not sure he’ll want to next year.

This year he’s going as David Bowie so that’ll be interesting as it is 😂

"This year he’s going as David Bowie" - VERY COOL KID!! Enjoy!!! 🎃

SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 30/10/2024 23:07

It’s ok. My DD has autism and she trick or treated until sixth form (16), no one minds. I give out sweets to the kids and adults that come by. Parents are not adverse to a bit of chocolate or Haribo either.

ToffeePennie · 30/10/2024 23:08

Let her go! She shows up at my door with a costume - she’s getting all the sweets!!

Propertyshmoperty · 30/10/2024 23:13

I'd have no problem with a child of any age trick or treating (especially if they are in costume!)

Kids grow up too fast, I'm happy to keep up the fun of childhood for older kids who still want to embrace it. Xx

Merryoldgoat · 30/10/2024 23:15

I love older kids trick or treating - it’s sweet how they want to hang on to childhood.