Is Your Child Too Old to Trick-or-Treat This Halloween?

Jody Morse
Trick-or-treating is something that many children enjoy. For many, it is not about receiving the treats that come along with trick-or-treating. The main reason that so many children love to go trick-or-treating is because dressing up can be quite fun. The idea of being someone else for a few hours is enough to keep many children interested in trick-or-treating for years. If you have an older child who is trick-or-treating, one of the main things that you may be wondering is whether or not your child is too old to trick-or-treat. Here, we will take a much closer look at some of the things that should be taken into consideration, as well as ways to help your child let go of trick-or-treating.

Who Will Your Child Be Trick-or-Treating With?

If your older child plans to take one of your younger children trick-or-treating, it is perfectly acceptable for him or her to dress up. It is likely that some older children may not even like the idea of taking younger siblings trick-or-treating to begin with depending on their age and maturity level, so dressing up for the event can make it much more tolerable. Most people will be likely to understand that in this situation, trick-or-treating is okay. In fact, many will think that it is very cute and generous of your child to take their brother or sister out trick-or-treating. However, if you have an eighteen year old daughter who plans to go trick-or-treating with her twenty year old friends, it's really not the best idea.

What Do People Think About Your Child Trick-or-Treating?

Will your child be trick-or-treating at the homes of people that you know? If so, you may want to think about what they have to say about your child trick-or-treating. Although some people may not care if your child is still trick-or-treating an old age, it is likely that there are some people who may not appreciate it so much. Ask some friends or neighbors whose homes you know that your child will be visiting while trick-or-treating what they think about the situation. This can give a good idea as to whether or not it is acceptable to allow your child to go trick-or-treating.

Can You Help Your Child Find Other Fun Things to Do on Halloween?

One of the main reasons that so many children trick-or-treat at such an old age is because they cannot seem to find anything fun to do on Halloween. If you know that your child really does not care if he or she trick-or-treats but is only doing it to have something to do, you may want to consider encouraging something else that is fun to do. It may be going with some friends or family members to see a scary movie. Or maybe you suggest that attend a friend's Halloween party, or even have their own. No matter what the case is, one of the best things that a parent can do to encourage their child to stop trick-or-treating is recommend other fun things that they can take part in.

These are just some of the things that you should be sure to take into consideration when determining if your child is too old to continue trick-or-treating. Many people feel that all children should stop trick-or-treating by the age of 13, while others feel that it is acceptable until 16. The decision is mainly up to you and your child, but these are some of the many things that may help you figure out whether or not your child should stop trick-or-treating.

Published by Jody Morse - Featured Contributor in Health & Wellness

Jody Morse has a B.A. in English from East Stroudsburg University. As a sufferer of endometriosis, she enjoys writing about women's health issues. She has worked as an assistant wedding DJ, and is dabbling i...  View profile

11 Comments

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  • Kristie Leong M.D.11/25/2007

    Can you ever be too old to trick or treat? I would love to have gone myself this year. :-)

  • V. Trix11/1/2007

    I think that kids are never to old for trick or treating as long as they are actually dressing up instead of like others said just begging for candy. I want my kids to stay kids as long as possible.

  • Emma G10/31/2007

    I think that as long as effort is being put into the costume, kids of any age can trick or treat, it's a fun time and kids now are being forced to grow up too fast, Halloween is a time for kids to be kids even if they're 16. I do however think it's rediculious when parents come with their babies and ask for candy.

  • Kat Rice Williams10/29/2007

    When older kids ring my door bell and yell, "trick-or-treat!" I get a huge kick out of it.

  • Kassidy Emmerson10/29/2007

    My mother made us stop trick or treating when we hit 12 years of age. Once I became a teen, I was too cool to go out anymore. Ha.

  • Sophie10/29/2007

    This is a different take on this holiday.
    Sophie

  • Lisa Riggs10/27/2007

    Great advice! I admit I do get annoyed when the doorbell rings at 8:30 and it's a bunch of teenagers with no costume who want candy. :)

  • Jody10/26/2007

    LOL probably 2buzy! I guess it would just be begging for candy at that point, Kristina lol. Thanks for all the comments! = )

  • Kristina Montefusco10/26/2007

    Great article! We had to stop once we got to high school in our house. My mom said that at that point it was no longer Trick or Treating, it was just begging for candy. ;)

  • Zac Wassink10/26/2007

    eh you can never be too old for candy

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