How old is too old for trick or treating?

[dybmh]

So, my youngest is 14 years old in the 8th grade and he's as tall as me. I've been trying to discourage him from trick or treating this year. I think he's too old and it's getting ridiculous.

What do you think is the cut-off for trick-or-treating?

 

[Yerda]

So, my youngest is 14 years old in the 8th grade and he's as tall as me. I've been trying to discourage him from trick or treating this year. I think he's too old and it's getting ridiculous.

What do you think is the cut-off for trick-or-treating?

Whenever he thinks he's too old, he's too old. For me it was around 11 but I had a younger brother who I could take round and pretend it was all a bit too childish for me but while I'm here, yes I think I will have some of them sweets.

Let yer boy enjoy being a child as long as he possibly can. Let him wring every drop of childhood. Soon he's going to be worrying about work and rent and shopping bills.

 

[JustGeorge]

Depends on the kid, depends on if they're going with other children, particularly younger ones. There were a few adults trick or treating the other night, but they were with their kids. Really, you don't stop having an urge to have fun just because you've passed a certain age(nor do most stop liking candy). Some things may cease to be fun(like trick-or-treating), but for those who it retains its appeal, I don't object.

My last year was when I was 15. I hadn't even planned on going, but a friend and I decided last minute it would be fun. We put on some silly make up, and went out. Some folks didn't mind. Some gave us nasty looks. But the thing was, when our bags were half way full, we'd find some random kid and tell him/her that they'd won the best costume prize, and empty our bags into theirs. We did that a few times. I'm sure that was memorable for the kids who 'won'.

So, I just don't think its cut and dried as to when things 'stop'. After that year, I didn't have the urge.

My husband is 35, and still dresses up and carries his bag around. He can buy his own candy, but for some reason has never lost the urge. And, its fine. He's got small children he's taking.

 

[dybmh]

when our bags were half way full, we'd find some random kid and tell him/her that they'd won the best costume prize, and empty our bags into theirs. We did that a few times. I'm sure that was memorable for the kids who 'won'.

That's awesome, George!

 

[VoidCat]

I went trick or treating once or twice as a kid. Most the time tho we'd just put a sign on the door with "we don't give out candy go away" with the blinds closed and stay in the house and not celebrate. So I don't know what's considered too old.

 

[Viker]

I stopped at about 14. I think the traditional is around 13, give or take a year.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

As a rule of thumb: if you've 'graduated' from elementary school, act like it. Leave trick-or-treat as the safe and enjoyable adventure of children.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

I'd still be doing it if it were more socially acceptable. Costuming is fun and I get very weary of people trying to control what 'being an adult' means in terms of hobbies and fun.

One of the few quotes from CS Lewis I always return to is:

Critics who treat 'adult' as a term of approval, instead of as a merely descriptive term, cannot be adult themselves. To be concerned about being grown up, to admire the grown up because it is grown up, to blush at the suspicion of being childish; these things are the marks of childhood and adolescence. And in childhood and adolescence they are, in moderation, healthy symptoms. Young things ought to want to grow. But to carry on into middle life or even into early manhood this concern about being adult is a mark of really arrested development. When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.

 

[Wu Wei]

One of the few quotes from CS Lewis I always return to is:

I like the CS Lewis quote, especially this bit

"When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up." - CS Lewis

Let kids be kids.....it is only for a short time..... adulthood is a lot LOT longer..... stop making kids be adults before they are... just one old childish guys opinion

 

[Subduction Zone]

It depends on how cheap I am that year. And then I tell them to stay away from my car.. For some reason the neighbors hate that

 

[Revoltingest]

So, my youngest is 14 years old in the 8th grade and he's as tall as me. I've been trying to discourage him from trick or treating this year. I think he's too old and it's getting ridiculous.

What do you think is the cut-off for trick-or-treating?

Too old: 100 < 4A + H
A = Age in years
H = Height in inches

 

[ADigitalArtist]

Too old: 100 < 4A + H
A = Age in years
H = Height in inches

Short kid privileges.

 

[Vinayaka]

So, my youngest is 14 years old in the 8th grade and he's as tall as me. I've been trying to discourage him from trick or treating this year. I think he's too old and it's getting ridiculous.

What do you think is the cut-off for trick-or-treating?

10

 

[dybmh]

Too old: 100 < 4A + H
A = Age in years
H = Height in inches

What about the whisker factor? I forgot to mention, the boy has a serious peach fuzz moustache happening.

ETA: using the provided formula, my son is too old. A=14, H=66

 

[Revoltingest]

What about the whisker factor? I forgot to mention, the boy has a serious peach fuzz moustache happening.

That's not in the mathematical inequality model.
Facial hair is OK....even for girls.

 

[dybmh]

10

yes. no young men with peach fuzz and deep voices should be trick-or-treating.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

yes. no young men with peach fuzz and deep voices should be trick-or-treating.

Why not though, seriously? Like who is it hurting? Especially if they're excited and putting time and effort into the costume?

 

[dybmh]

Why not though, seriously? Like who is it hurting? Especially if they're excited and putting time and effort into the costume?

Well, just from a practical perspective. Each house has a limited amount of candy, and the candy should go to the littles so they have a fun experience. If Halloween was open to all kids ( or the kid-at-heart ) then the houses would run out of candy and it wouldn't be as fun.

Now. If you're making a distinction based on effort and the costume. I could be convinced. My young man-cub hasn't put any time into his costume. I think he's wearing a cloak from a previous halloween and nothing else special.

 

[Vinayaka]

yes. no young men with peach fuzz and deep voices should be trick-or-treating.

Halloween as one of the worst days to teach children. Way too much excitement for me. The day after may have been worse, from all the sugar highs. It's fun for little kids, if the parents are reasonable, but at some point it becomes mostly about candy greed. I have one positive story. On the day before Halloween, Gemma approached my desk, with a small candy bar. "Guess what?" she asked.
"I have no clue," I said,
"This is my last candy from last year. I rationed it out." Cool kid.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

Well, just from a practical perspective. Each house has a limited amount of candy, and the candy should go to the littles so they have a fun experience. If Halloween was open to all kids ( or the kid-at-heart ) then the houses would run out of candy and it wouldn't be as fun.

Now. If you're making a distinction based on effort and the costume. I could be convinced. My young man-cub hasn't put any time into his costume. I think he's wearing a cloak from a previous halloween and nothing else special.

I have never in my life run out of candy, but I always buy like four bags. xD
I'd also be inclined to donate my candy to the kids for dietary reasons anyway. Still a fun activity though, I think.

The pirate costume I'm wearing tonight cost about a hundred bucks and hours of labor (including vinegar washes and painted distressing.)
Lord help me if I ever decide to take up sewing. My coat closet would have to be a costume closet.