Really though: Should Teenagers Go Trick or Treating?

Some say yes, while others say no. But here’s an honest take on the question; can you be too old for Halloween?

It’s becoming a big issue…

Many towns are banning those over a certain age to participate in Trick or Treating!

And we’re talking misdemeanor crimes here, not just recommendations and preferences.

It seems the trend of “too old for Halloween” has somewhat sprung out of nowhere! But this isn’t a new phenomenon – most people really think there should be a cut-off for Halloween.

But can you be too old?

A lot of kids naturally stop engaging in the Halloween tradition, usually around 11-16 years of age.

But a lot of kids also just enjoy dressing up! Going out with their friends, and doing literally what they’ve done every year since they were young, if not from birth!

Habits die hard, you know?

So where do you draw the line?

It seems now laws have joined the “social norm.” More and more cities are putting a stop to teenage trick-or-treats, and simply stating an opinion growing in popularity. Teens, you are simply too old for Halloween.

But not all teenagers are the same…

We are forgetting kids young at heart. Sure, you might be 16, but you also watch The Nightmare Before Christmas each year. And, you aren’t rowdy or causing trouble.

You’re just visiting the neighbors you’ve known your whole life, same as every year before, for your annual gathering of Candy Bars.

Or perhaps, a young 15 year old has developmental delays – could he actually have the mindset of a much younger child? And if so…how can you really explain to them they have reached an age where they can’t have fun at Halloween anymore?

I wish I could say I had never heard of someone being rude to an autistic child at Halloween, but it does happen. Because they only see a teenage boy who maybe should be driving, but they don’t know the whole situation.

People also get turned off by even young children who don’t say ‘thank you’, or even ‘trick or treat.’ Primarily because they don’t think of kids with poor communication skills, introverts, or being non-verbal. While this is a sidebar observation, it warrants mentioning.

Ok, but back to teenagers…

I don’t believe there is a real cut-off age for Halloween festivities.

If 14 year old kids wanna dress up and go trick-or-treating, let them! It’s not like they are poaching candy!

It’s honestly a bad move to insult anyone by withholding on Halloween. It makes you look a lot worse than the 17 year old Wolfman who just wants some Skittles. It doesn’t hurt you to give it to them – but it really hurts them if you’re rude about it.

While you’re never really too old for Halloween, lets leave the kids out of this.

Adults actually do this too when they take their very young toddlers, and even babies, out.

We all know the 11 month old isn’t eating Reese’s Cups, but we give them out anyway. Because you can’t look a baby in the eye and literally take their candy away. Even though in the back of your mind, you’re thinking their parents are eating it!

It’s just when there’s an obvious teenager around that people start getting nasty about their candy.

Rule One of Halloween…Don’t Be A Jerk

Just give them the damn candy. Don’t demand to receive gratitude. Don’t insist on knowing someone’s age. Don’t call the cops!  Just give them the candy and move on.

There’s bigger things to worry about than kids being kids…even the older ones.

Author: Jasmine

SAHM to one little boy, and wife to a former member of the USMC. I blog about parenting, relationships, brands I love, and product reviews!