At what age should kids stop trick or treating at Halloween?

1. 89

   Pamela N Redposted 13 years ago

   At what age should kids stop trick or treating at Halloween?
   
   I've had grown adults come to my house trick or treating at Halloween and thought this was odd. At what age should people stop going door to door to collect candy?
   
   I personally think any age for dressing up is fine but trick or treating is a bit different.

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2. 96

   JKennyposted 13 years ago

   Personally I think that kids should stop trick or treating once they reach their teens, as by that time they've lost most of their innocence. I've seen little kids going trick or treating with their parents, and that's nice and adorable. The problem is when you get gangs of teenagers walking around unsupervised, knocking on people's doors and demanding money. I've never experienced it myself, but I have heard stories from neighbours who've literally been threatened to hand over some money in order to prevent the teens from vandalising their property.

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   1. 75

      Levertis Steeleposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wow! Now, that is a dangerous horse of another color!

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3. 61

   onegreenparachuteposted 13 years ago

   My mom MADE me quit trick or treating at age 12.  I remember being thoroughly p'd off at the time.  I hated missing out on all the goodies and my brother refused to share.  So....I can understand teens being loathe to give it up but really, in my opinion, it's for kids!

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4. 78

   joanwzposted 13 years ago

   We weren't forced to give up trick or treating as kids. At some age it simply became uncool, or at least, no longer worth the trouble of coming up with a costume and roaming the neighborhood in the dark. My kids weren't asked to give it up either. THey,like most of the older kids trick or treating in my neighborhood, gave it up on their own at some point. Usually around 8th grade - or there abouts - it became uncool. As long as they aren't causing any trouble, I think they should be allowed to give it up when they're ready.

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   1. 75

      Levertis Steeleposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      When I became a teen, I always had ways to earn money--sitting, for example. I could buy more candy than I picked up door to door, and I could rent a number of horror movies. I still like candy.

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5. 0

   connieowposted 13 years ago

   Since I am against not having fun. I would go trick or treating too, if adults would let me and give me candy. When I was 12 a man told me I was to big to go trick or treating and refused to give me candy. My baby sister, shared hers, in front of him. He slammed the door.
   
   As adults I think we tend to get to stuffy, stressed, and on guard. It would not hurt to be a child once in awhile, share with your children, and laugh.
   
   I think even at 95 I will go trick or treating. Why not?
   
   Cannot grow up. To much stress.

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6. 67

   Amy Bechererposted 13 years ago

   I think any person old enough to cause the resident to hesitate or fear opening their door is too old to be "trick or treating"!  Personally, I think once children object to their parents accompanying them, they are too old to be going door to door after dark for candy.  Most teenagers have outgrown the childlike thrill of "trick or treat". 
   
   I am surprised that today, with the public awareness of dangers involving children and strangers, that any child of any age is allowed to go door to door on their own on Halloween. (I lived in a gated community where large numbers of children were trucked into the neighborhood after dark and allowed to wander through on their own).  It is my opinion that any child who objects "trick or treating" in the company of their parent's has outgrown the intent of the activity.

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   1. 75

      Levertis Steeleposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      If there are people out there too old to trick or treat, and possibly dangerous, then, the little kids should not be out there with them. Have lots of lights and adults abouts, ask local police to patrol as heavily as possible, or close shop.

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7. 60

   rave1432posted 13 years ago

   Hey, free candy is free candy. I went with my girlfriend and my girlfriends little cousin, but I didn't go to the doors, only she did. But I dressed up. I enjoy it, it is a fun holiday, why does age have to come into it?

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8. 75

   Levertis Steeleposted 12 years ago

   You said, "I've had grown adults come to my house trick or treating at Halloween and thought this was odd."
   
   Adults like candy too! Isn't there a child in every adult? Let that "kid" express himself for crying out louder than we usually do!
   
   When I think about the walking bags of pus, the hideous skeletons on little black costumes, knives in bloody heads, a little princess who can get killed, Jason and his boys, and the other horrible, slimy creatures, I realize that all of them are the epitome of horror/fear, death, murder--just a big, nasty celebration that is topped off with pleasure relief: CANDY, and later a bloody, murderous movie like "The Chainsaw Murders." These parents who subject their kids to this are among those who advocate for non-violence, gun control, getting rid of devil worshippers, and parents against drunks who cause victims to look like the things their kids "celebrate."
   
   Some people poison and even kill kids with tricky treats. Some get killed while crossing crowded streets. Some are frightened to death when they are tricked.
   Their dangling eyeballs costumes end up all over someone's lawn.
   
   Now, what was that question--"What age should they stop trick or treating?" I think that the policemen, parents, volunteers, and the National Guard should trick or treat with these kids to monitor and protect them, and they should be rwarded with more than candy. Those who volunteer to x-ray candy should be paid overtime along with the other big trick or treaters. Parents, poor souls, just have to settle for taking the kids to counseling when it is all over.
   
   I truly think that big kids and adults are the only ones who can come out of it unscathed because they know that this is all fabrication designed for frightening fun. Well, almost.
   
   I took my grandkids to the local grocery store one time for "fright night." I left running ahead of them when I saw Jason and another monster come after us with hamburger meat for brains. I think one of the bag boys found me near my car and brought the screaming kids to me. Hey, I am a kid at heart, OK? I wonder why they won't give trick or treaters my age sugar-free candy!
   
   Oh, "What age?" My answer: 70.
   
   Enough said. I had fun responding!  I have a hub idea and hope others got one too.

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9. 0

   belizaposted 10 years ago

   I think that most kids want to stop at about age 12. Once they have a party to go to trick-or-treating becomes less fun. I think the most popular age is about 4 to 9 years old.

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10. 82

    Say Yes To Lifeposted 10 years ago

    The last time I went, I was 14 years old.  I went with a group; the oldest was 15.  We had no problems, but several people asked us, "Aren't you a little old to be doing this?"  In dangerous cities like Oakland CA, we stuck to our neighborhood; I had to be driven to the 15 year old's house, because where I lived, near downtown, was too risky.
    My best friend from elementary school was forced to stop at age 12.  Her parents gave her a party instead.  I think if you're going to make a kid stop, it's best to augment it with a party.

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