Too Old to Trick or Treat?

If they still want to dress up and trick or treat let them. Kids are growing up too fast these days, nice to have ones that can still enjoy being a kid!

I don't think 12 and 14 are too old. If they enjoy it and it's fun for them why wouldn't you let them do it? My husbands sister was 12 last year and went with my young kids and had a blast. I think it's mean to not let them go if they really want to, especially when there is a younger kid in the mix. I know I'll get slammed for that... too bad.

Man, oh, man! We went in high school. Why would anyone care? Let them be kids a little longer if they want. Teens have so much to worry about these days, and they'll be grown soon enough. My brother even asked my mom to hide Easter eggs until he was 18 or so. :) Fun is fun!

My niece used to live with me and she went trick or treating at 15. She and her friends all dressed as disney princesses. I made her a Jasmine costume. They all looked so beautiful and it was a great memory of the last of her childhood. After that it was all about driving lessons and proms. So, if the 14 year old wants to do it, encourage the creative fun that makes Halloween so great.
C.

Let them have fun and enjoy their remaining childhood years!

As long as they dress up, I think your never too old to go trick o treating!

We have many high school students who trick-or-treat in our neighborhood. My parents stopped buying costumes for us when we hit middle school, but always offered to help us make them! My youngest sister is 9 yrs younger than me and I used to take her out in HS. It was fun- I didn't need/want the candy, but it was a great time for us together.

Let them all go and have your husband chaperone, but stay a few steps behind and let the 3 siblings enjoy something that crosses age-ranges!

I think the bigger kids can dress up AND help with the younger kids.
This may vary by area but I've had BIG kids . . . teens,
show up at my door in my urban area.
They're usually fine with candy
but didn't much care for the sparkly stickers
the younger kids usually adored.

My 13 and 14 yr old are trick or treating this year. They are responsible for most of their own costumes. I usually buy makeup or something small for them. I agree, if they are respectful about it....teenagers should still be able to enjoy trick or treating.

Let them go!!!!!!!! I don't care who comes to my door, I'll give them candy as long as they are dressed up! 12 and 14 are NOT adults - let them have fun as long as they are in the "spirit"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

they are not to old to trick or treat. We have a lot of older kids come to our house and I think it is great they can still have fun and most their costumes are very creative. I would say let them enjoy it while they can, it is a short time in life that they can still have that type of fun, so even the 14 year old is okay!

id say puberty and quitting trick or treating happen pretty organically.

I've had 16-18 year olds come to my door every year and I never thought twice about it. I do not think your kids would be considered "too old" by anyone and should be able to go if they want to go. Have fun.

I NEVER quit dressing up. :) >^..^< (darn... i KNOW there's a way to make a ghost on keys, but forget how)

My mum preferred that I was with the drama kids who trick'o'treated all through highschool than with my teammates who went to parties and drank on halloween.

I would say, in the same vein, the longer you can keep them trick'o'treating instead of partying, the better.

Our neighbor was a junior in high school last year and he came trick or treating. None of your kids are too old.

At home I have a 15, 12, 9 and a 40 yo. On his years he does dress up and he carries his little bag.
Last year we had a 16 year old foreign exchange student and everyone went so she could experience it.
This year we will be participating in Trunk or Treat at the church. It will give the girls, 12, and 15 something positive to focus on and the little guy, 9 will get his candy. My 40 yo boy is running the Marine Corps Marathon that day so he'll be crashed out in the van.

If you're going as a family, I don't see a problem with it - a family is a family, and heck, if I could still go, I would - I LOVE Halloween :) And I'm in my 40's! I really don't mind the big kids trick-or-treating as long as they're DRESSED UP! I don't like it when they just walk around in regular clothes looking for candy. I wouldn't turn kids away cause that's just obnoxious, but I like it when they're having fun and not just out for candy.

I bet the 7 yr old would really like having big brother/sister along. Going as a family will be fun and not innapropriate, cute actually, especially if you can do coordinating costumes. Just so long as you don't turn them loose to trick or treat on thier own. I don't like when big kids show up at my door alone. But, actually, I bet the older kids are probably too embrassed to really want to go trick or treating! Why don't you let everyone get a costume and go to a carnival or some sort of Haloween event together. i know a lot of malls put something on, as well as churches, etc.

I was a die-hard trick or treater. I think I did it until I was 15.
I agree with Lucia. If they're wanting to and still enjoying the holiday for what it is, dressing up in costume, and being respectful, why stop them?
On a different note, I think states are setting an age limit on trick or treating now (how sad is that?) so you might want to check on that for the state in which you live.

I think at that age they could have a Halloween party at home rather than trick or treat.

I don't think there is any harm in doing it, as long as they aren't running over the little ones. It really can't hurt. Though I imagine my kids would want a party more than to go trick or treating...more of a hang out with friends excuse :).

What is it with this idea of pushing our kids to grow up so fast. It seems in most aspects of American life we are pushing for them to act like little adults in nearly every way but the ones that really count. I for one want my kids to enjoy all the trappings of a fun, healthy childhood but act in a thoughful, mature way. Growing up in our house has little to do with when you drop a "childish" tradition and more to do with having character, empathy, responsibility and treating people with respect. Focus on raising them to become thoughtful adults and less on whether or not they still enjoy being kids!

I went up until I was 18! I do look younger than I am though.

I trick or treated my senior yr in high school so no I don't think 12 and 14 are too old.

I remember dressing up and wandering the neighborhood when I was 17 with my friends, just laughing and having fun. I don't think we did any trick-or-treating, but I'm not sure you ever outgrow the game of Halloween!

My mom made us quit when we were 11 - that is the last year we could go. Of course both my sister and I got our menstrual cycles that year so it kind of was a set -- you are no longer a kid -- point. I know some people let kids go that are much older but honestly I am pretty freaked out as a parent when I open the door to big teenage boys asking for candy!!

My friend and I always looked very young so we still dressed up through college and went trick or treating (she bought us credibility because she was only 4'11''). The only embarrassing moment is when we ended up at a classmate's house who was our age, married, and handing out candy. I'm so happy to have kids so I can keep trick-or-treating!

If they wanna go let them go. I think my last time wanting to participate was at 15. Both of my sons stopped when they hit jr high, guess it wasnt the "cool" thing to do anymore so they dressed up and gave out candy only. No one is too old to trick or treat I dont think....

I agree.....let them go! The will only "want" to do it a few more years and this is a good opportunity to have a family night of fun.

people stop trick or treating?!?!?!? lol jk. i always trick or treated, i cant remember when i stopped? i have a sister thats younger than me, and i always dressed up with her, and i have my son. last yr i didnt dress up (i was 21) but thats bc i was in a bad car wreck and could barely walk, but i was still out taking my son trick or treating with entire leg brace and all :) but really, if they still wanna go let them go its just something fun! its all about the candy!! (no i dont go up to the door and ask for candy anymore lol, i stopped that prolly round 16- but i still like to go)

I don't think any age is to old, sorry, are they to old for Christmas presents? My daughter is 21 creating her own costumes and is going out with the same friends she went out with in High school, I was 22 the last time i went, me and my friend dressed up in our fathers camies and went as Mash Characters, we had a blast. J.

Updated

I don't think any age is to old, sorry, are they to old for Christmas presents? My daughter is 21 creating her own costumes and is going out with the same friends she went out with in High school, I was 22 the last time i went, me and my friend dressed up in our fathers camies and went as Mash Characters, we had a blast. J.

I can't remember what state, but one is trying to set up that anyone older then 12 is not aloud to go and if does go they get fined $100 , Now I don't not believe this has gone through but it gives you an idea.

Last year my girls went trick or treating with a large group. The youngest being 10 and the oldest 16. So no I don't think your kids are to old.

However, 2 things that bother me...
when older kids take siblings, they DON'T dress up and expect treats
and parents who dress up and expect treats

I would consider letting the 12 year old go one more year. I would think the 14 year old would be afraid that her friends might see her at this point! Have you talked to her, is she even wanting to go. I would say a good cut off age is when you become a teenager, so 13.

My niece and her friend still trick or treat and they are 17 yrs old. I say let them be kids until they no longer want to go. I also went trick or treating with them one year and it was really fun.

I stopped trick-or-treating in 6th grade. So, I think that made me....11. I got the door shut in my face a couple of times the year before so my parents told me I was done.
If big kids come to my door I look a little "askew" at them, but they still get one candy each, little cutie patooties usually get 3 or 4!
Personally, I think they are too old. But, if they are going to go then they should be ready for funny looks! But, they could still get dressed up and answer the door, or take little sister out, but not expect anything.
L.

Updated

I stopped trick-or-treating in 6th grade. So, I think that made me....11. I got the door shut in my face a couple of times the year before so my parents told me I was done.
If big kids come to my door I look a little "askew" at them, but they still get one candy each, little cutie patooties usually get 3 or 4!
Personally, I think they are too old. But, if they are going to go then they should be ready for funny looks! But, they could still get dressed up and answer the door, or take little sister out, but not expect anything.
L.

I think 13 and over is a bit too old and they should help with the younger kids. Additionally, no costume, no candy.. what's up with so many "kids" without costumes.. you have to at least EARN the candy by showing up in a costume..