How old is too old to trick-or-treat?

Is there a specific age where kids should be discouraged from trick-or-treating on Halloween, or do you judge by the size of the child? We discuss trick-or-treating age with parents to see where they draw the candy collecting line.

When to put the candy bag down

Some trick-or-treaters may set your teeth on edge when they approach your door on Halloween. Should candy be relegated to little kids, and are teenagers really too old to trick-or-treat? We polled moms to see if they open their candy bowls to trick-or-treaters of any age.

Teen years

Some moms were fine with trick-or-treaters, as long as they were not yet teenagers. “I would say that once they enter high school (9th grade), they are too old for it,” shared Kelly, mother of two. “I think at that point, they should have a party or something where they can dress up with their friends.”

Brigetta, mother of three, agrees. “We have teenagers come to our door in daily clothes,” she said. “I tell them politely that trick-or-treating is for the younger children and that I am sorry. If they are with a group (like parents/siblings) I do always treat. I guess it just annoys me that if you can drive you shouldn’t be trick-or-treating!”

Anyone is game, as long as they’re in costume!

Other moms didn’t feel that there should be an arbitrary age limit. “If they are in costume, they can trick-or-treat at my house,” said Jolene, mom of three. “I don't see a need for an age limit. I have groups of teenagers come to my house and they are respectful of the little ones. It is good, clean, safe fun.”

“My sister-in-law goes trick-or-treating still,” Rachel, mom of one, shared with us. “She's 20 and dresses up in legit awesome costumes and goes with a few friends. She loves it. I think it's adorable. She reminds me of a little kid on Halloween. I don't think you're ever too old as long as your heart is in it.”

What moms don’t like

Even the moms who don’t mind older teens or adults trick-or-treating agree there is behavior that they do not appreciate. “I hate those obnoxious groups of teens trick-or-treating and pushing past the little kids,” related Char from New York. “Even worse is when they don't even have a costume.”

Ana, mom of one, felt the same. “My only issues are older kids or adults not dressing up or uncostumed parents pushing a stroller with a dressed up baby to get candy for themselves,” she explained.

And Rachael from Wisconsin may have summed it up best. “I don’t think there is an age limit, but I won’t give candy to rude kids no matter the age!” she shared.

More on Halloween

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Halloween safety tips for parents
5 Tips for Baby's first Halloween