In your opinion, what's the age limit for Trick r Treating?

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

• C.S. Lewis

Good on your sister for not losing track of what makes her happy. Not doing things just because they are "childish" is the most childish trait an adult can display.

The rule is, if you dress up you get candy. I don't care how old you are, but you have to be dressed up.

I hate the idea that older kids shouldn't do it. Like I remember getting shit when I decided to be kid-like again at 15 after not having done it when I was 13 and 14.

Houses told me I was too old. And looking back now, as a parent of teens, and I wish they and their friends were just going out trick r treating. I will definitely encourage any kid I see. And at my age anyone under 26 is a kid, easily. I'd much rather kids do something communal and fun than just go out drinking. I'm sure that by the next Halloween when I was 16 I was probably doing something less good than asking for free candy.

If we want people to be communal, have fun, and be safe then we shouldn't give them shit when they do that. So I don't care if the old dude down the streets dons a skeleton costume and grabs a pillow case. If he has a costume, he gets candy. And anyone who tells me different will get called out for being a killjoy.

As long as you're wearing a costume, I don't care how old you are. You'll get a treat.

I give candy to parents with costumes. Knock on my door, say trick or treat, and you get candy. Them's the rules.

I also give adults I know beer or seltzer.

I’d be super happy with no upper limit on age.

What I definitely have is an attitude limit; I loathe it when sullen teenagers knock the door, mutter “trckotrt”, no dress up except someone has drawn a tear on their face and then grabs five portions of candy and just dashes out.

Like, you can be fucking 40 for all I care, but you squeal “triiick of treaaaat”, then I say “wow, aren’t your costumes great” and offer the bowl up. You then grab one large or a couple of small things, say thank you and walk off excitedly.

The requirement for me is that you look like you’re enjoying it. Otherwise, why am I opening the door to strangers and offering them sweets?

If it makes her happy, why do you care? I assume that most people do "childish" things despite their age because it makes them happy.

Age limitation on trick-or-treaters is an inherently fascist concept and will be trashed when the revolution happens.

There's no age limit. Adulthood isn't about not being whimsical it's about being whimsical and not caring that losers are judging you for being happy

If someone has the confidence to dress up and ring my doorbell, they’re getting candy and positive vibes from me.

No age limit in this household. I'd say "just show up with a bag," but I just gave treats so some 4yo with no bag. If an adult asked? They'd get them.

I just want to be kind. I wasn't allowed to trick or treat as a kid. I did as a teen, and you know what? Nobody cared how old our group was. We got candy like the rest of them. God bless those neighbors.

And God bless Halloween.

Okay, rant time. If you don't like rants, skip this comment.

Listen motherfuckers, Halloween isn't about candy. The fact that the candy has become the point is a fucking problem.

We've lost the social cohesion, the sense of community, and even the superstitions that made Halloween such a popular holiday.

And that fucking sucks.

Nobody really believes we're scaring off bad spirits any more, but we could at least celebrate the weird, the scary, and just spend one night a year dressing up for fun.

Fuck the candy. The only reason we have to give out candy is because assholes fucked up being able to give out home made treats. Man, did any of y'all have the fucking awesomeness of getting candy coated apples, or home made fudge, or wax paper wrapped cookies? Or anything but the sugar bombs in a bag you buy? But no, some assholes had to fuck around and break the ability to trust the social contract of Halloween.

Shit, I'm the only asshole in my entire town baking and making things today. Why? Because I'm the only idiot willing to put up a sign on my door "home made treats available on request by adults". Which means I'm the only house on the fucking street that has cars pulling up with kids in them, accompanied by adults. Parents don't let kids walk the streets on Halloween any more because humans are fucking horrible and can't be trusted not to mess with kids. So that means nobody even fucking bothers to hand out anything, they all go to fucking trunk and treat shit, which ends up being about the fucking candy instead of having fun because a bunch of people in parking lots isn't a community.

Fuck. Fuck the assholes that ruined Halloween and turned it into a day for fucking candy.

How generous of you.

but I let her do it.

I think your Senior year of high school oughta be the cutoff, but I don't have any issues with college students trick or treating, so I think 23 or so would be my candy refusal threshold. This actually reminds me of a story I read a long time ago:

It's Halloween and there's a knock on the door, nothing out of the ordinary, and the person got up and went to the door. When they opened it, they found another door and doorframe up against their door, which read "Please knock for candy", they knocked and were offered candy by some college students who were carrying an entire door and frame around for this bit. I believe it ended with the homeowner refusing candy and giving the college students candy.

So yeah, I need to add an exception to my Halloween code of ethics: An awesome costume / gag can make up for any age.

There's no age limit.

No age limit but costume required. At least put on your sister's makeup or brothers overalls or saggy jeans, something. I have turned away kids without costumes but will candy anyone of any age who makes even the weakest attempt at a costume.

It's an arbitrary cultural custom, with even more arbitrary expectations for who's included. I find it weird when a grown-up comes to your door and it straight up makes certain people angry, but there's no logical reason why it's bad.

I stopped at 14. At 23 it’s definitely weird, but whatever. I think it’s unfortunate that our culture shames adults for partaking in controlled mischief aspects of holidays and other such fun holiday traditions.

Any age that makes the effort to dress up and have fun. If you are not ok with that you need to ask yourself what killed your inner child?

None.

Halloween isn't really a thing here, but last year the elderly home organized a Trick or Treating event where everyone was invited, but it was mainly setup to give the elderly a fun activity.

I don't think I've ever seen people enjoy dressing up for Halloween as much as they did.

" I let her do it"

If it's the end of the evening and you're 47 with no costume and driving a beatup Civic, I'll happily dump candy in your backpack so that I don't have it sitting at home tempting me to eat it.

Probably around 90. Might have a hard time after that

If you show up to my house in a costume, you're getting candy at any age.

No age limit, you could literally be 80 at my door in a walker and you'd still get candy.

It's not like Candy is a valuable resource, if they want to dress up to get some M&M's then more power to them.

Like I don’t give a shit how old someone is. If you show up in a costume I’m giving you candy. No matter the age. I don’t know why you’d care what she’s doing, how is it hurting you or anyone else?

I used to think there should be an age limit, I think i officially stopped trick or treating at like 13 or 14. I live Halloween though and always did so I dressed up and trotted around with my little siblings to help keep an eye and make sure they were safe and didn't get too scared because we did have a few houses that often provided "tricks" with their treats.

Most of the adults tied to give me candy too even though I wasn't carrying a bag, some flat out refused my attempt at just saying I was chaperoning and not trick or treating. Got told by a few that I dressed up and that's the rules, I got candy without trying just because I wanted to have fun and spend time with my siblings.

I remember a few people giving my dad candy when he took me as a kid because he always dressed up with us. He even stayed back on the walk way as we walked up to the house and the old guy giving out candy yelled out "Hey Wolfman!" my dad looked up as he was dressed as a werewolf and got a reeses thrown to him with additional compliments on his costume.

All this to say is I don't think I'd give any side eye to anyone coming to get some candy, sometimes adults need a little pick me up as well and it just used to be fun seeing all the different costumes and creative stuff people would come up with or randomly scaring a couple older kids just by opening the door with whatever creepy costume I had that year.

I love the tradition of trick or treating in the neighborhood. I hate that it is dying in some communities (instead going to malls, trunk or treat etc). I happily give candy to anyone who knocks on the door and I don't care how old they are or if it's "late". It's a fun time for everyone.

I feel like there's no age where dressing up and knocking on doors becomes inappropriate. It's fun, it can increase social cohesion in a community, there's no reason for adults not to be a little silly, yadda yadda. Already now it's perfectly acceptable for an adult attending trick-or-treating children to dress up as well, but I think adults alone or in adult groups should be allowed to dress up as well.

But then there's the "asking for candy" part... Now I don't think there's any age where people should stop eating candy, either — but when you have the ability to easily buy (or even make) your own candy, then maybe it'd be a better idea to start giving out your candy to the houses you knock on, if you still want to go out in costume.

I dunno, just a thought. I wouldn't tell your sister to stop, though. We're all a little weird at the end of the day.

Honestly, I don't really set an age limit. I won't judge people who are out for fun. I've been there, there's not much to do around where I live.

That being said though... Regardless of your age, if you costume up, you're likely to get more candy from me. (I'll also offer candy to parents and older siblings who aren't taking part because I'm cool like that. Just don't stick chocolate bars in your pockets LMAO)

I’d just be happy she has a costume on. Around here we get grown adults with no costumes asking for candy with their kids. I guess I enable them because I don’t want to call them out in front of their own kids, but come on.

The older you are, the more effort I expect. A kid can get away with a cape and a mask. If an older teen comes, I expect full costume, not everyday clothes. Adult? You better be rocking a great cosplay. Not that I'd refuse anyone, but I'll be happiest giving treats to young children or people showing off really amazing effort in the costume department.

18/20 because after that you ought to be able to be a candy-giver. This whole thing only works if we have enough candy-givers, and too late of a cutoff age skews the balance.

No age. Anyone against fun social traditions is a jerk and a loser. I stand by my word.

There is no age limit. I will give candy to anyone in a costume that is trick or treating.

Honestly? Do whatever you want as long as you're not hurting anyone or being a dick. Wanna put on a spooky costume and go ask the neighbours for candy? Please be my guest and I hope you have such a fun time. I guess you might get some funny looks but like, that's on them, not you. This doesn't even just apply to trick or treating.

You're never too old to enjoy something. The world is miserable enough, have ice cream for dinner once, go trick or treating, learn to ride a bike, have a sleepover with your friends, or do none of those things if you wouldn't derive joy from them.

120. I'll give a decrepit old dude candy, but i draw the line at actual vampires

If you are an adult, and clearly an adult, then it's probably too old.

I'll still give you candy if I answer the door, but that is probably where you might creep some people out, or they give creeper vibes and don't trust answering the door.

That said, in my own experience, you are too old to trick or treat once you pass about 5'6" (~165 cm).

I remember finding out I was too old. After an event, some friends wanted to go trick or treating. I was in high school still, but just shy of 6 feet. Female friend the same age was just over 5', and another female friend that was a few years older was about 4'9".

Anyways, they trick or treated fine, and I got stares, and clearly treated differently. Clearly trick or treating is not about age, but perceived age. (and effort. If you're short and all covered up in your costume, no one will know or care... long as your voice isn't boss baby)

When you have a place to live and can afford a bucket of candy, I think it is an obligation to everyone who wants this tradition to continue to stay at home (yours or someone else if youre having a halloween party) and give out candy to the kids and compliment their costumes.

But other than that, nah, no age limit as long as you can still say thanks and enjoy it.

In my area, it is less age and more size. Someone that is large scares more people than a small person. I was large so stopped early, but a small woman with a mask could go quite a long time.

We have like 4 children in our neighbourhood. If an adult showed up at my door in costume, I'd be thrilled to get a visitor, give them candy and offer them booze (it's also common in my area for homes to offer drinks to parents who are chaperoning their kids).

On a similar note, when my son was about 7, my girlfriend at the time (who was 28) came with us in costume and and went up to houses with him with a candy bag and collected treats. The first couple houses, I actually felt like "this is a little embarrassing" but people just gave her candy and alcohol and I was like "You know what, this is fun!" I realized I was being a stiff adult and should just get over myself (a beer and a couple cup of hot cider with whiskey didn't hurt my attitude either).

In Mexico, there are two dates for "trick or treat". One is for kids (the Day of ~the Holly Innocents~ All the Saints) and the next day is for Day of the dead or Día de Muertos, which is for everyone, in a clearly adult-centric celebration. The treats in the first day are candy-like, in the second day it's very-Mexican-food-like.

Ask your sister which one would she celebrate. The rightest answer is both, the right is one or the other, the wrong is none.

Also, if she's watching after some kids, that's great and deserves a treat. Ultimately, as this post and comments suggests, it all depends on the people's heart.

No such thing as an age limit.

It was never a "kid's only" holiday to begin with. It just became associated with that over time.

it's funny when teenagers show up but you wouldn't want it to be exclusively teenagers.

when i was 13 or so i noticed the looks of the faces of the people giving out candy went from happy to annoyed. It may have also been my low effort costume but that was my last year

Halloween is all but dead in my area, Seattle Washington. Only pockets of neighborhoods put up decoration. If you are able to get to my front door I don't care what you're wearing or how you got there. You get a treat. Anyone elitist with this is literally helping to kill the spirit of Halloween. The holiday hardly exists, stop trying to kill it more.

As long as your neighbors know you, any age is fine, just have fun and be happy don't worry about what other people think, just be mindful and empathetic and don't make people nervous

Depends on the area around here 12-13 years old

I started getting judgemental looks in my teens. That being said, I don't know how much I would care if an adult popped up on my doorstep

When your sense of entitlement outweighs your sense of wonder.

@JSens1998 What's the point of slutty Halloween costumes otherwise? They're not meant for minors.

I want to make a house costume, so I can dress like a house, I will go to the doors, and make them knock on my little door, and I'll open it with puppets to give out candy

Best part about having kids is we can all dress up and go

82

A UK sub asked this question recently. Their answer was teenagers. Apparently they are afraid of groups of teens. Therefore only primary age kids should go.

Probably once they get to college they're too old, unless they're chaperoning younger people around. New England / USA.

previously I think I would have said about 10-12 feels like the proper cutoff, but I took my 3.5 year old out tonight, and at one house she got a king size snickers bar while the teens after us got fun size. this feels the most fair.

I haven't done it in a couple, but I used to have a "trick or treat" table and a "trick or drink" table. You got to choose one. If I was even a little sus, you were carded, that was rare, and never actually caught anyone cheating anyhow. Takes a lot of prep work though.

Sometime when I was 13 or 14, I stopped. For one year. (I thought I had outgrown it, and was too old for “kid stuff”.) The next year my friends and I ended up putting on our costumes and trick or treating “ironically”. If anyone judged us, that was their problem. They missed out on free candy and a license to be stupid. We had a great time!

As an adult I find it fun to dress up and go trick or treating, but I instead give candy instead of taking it. After all I can just buy candy any time I want so it's fun to reverse trick or treat.

i think it's dependent by area. if you're in an area/neighborhood with mostly younger people in their 20s or such and few families, its acceptable to go out as a younger person thats around that age. but if your area is mostly families and you're going out trick or treating as a 20 year old, that's pretty strange.

Your sister is having fun and like you say, each to their own. I'd do it definitely especially together with my daughter.

I allow it if it's a parent or sibling accompanying a child. Or if they have an amazing costume. If it's a grown ass man wearing a trash bag or a $3 mask not so much.

When I took the kids trick or treating there was one house with a fire pit that was offering candy, Pokemon cards or beer depending on the age and preference of the trick or treater

Shouldn't be one. I don't give a shit if you're 65 years old, if you knock you can have some candy. It's a holiday, for fun, I don't need to turn it into another fucking ethics test. I just want to have fun and I want others to have fun.

If you're looking out for your kid/brother for safety, no limits. Otherwise, 16.

Hmm I guess in my mind it's when you have a job that pays you well enough to have fun money and buy your own candy.

So age isn't even a factor.

If you still “let” them apparently they are young enough

You are asking this on Lemmy? Many of us go to conventions just hoping to see a glimpse of a 23yr old in a costume.

I'm fairly old and don't have kids and have never lived anywhere (as an adult) that had trick or treating. Based on my childhood memories of participating, I think having more older kids and young adults as, essentially, guardians, would be great. The parent to kids ratio was not great 30+ years ago. Just don't send out 23 year old creepers.

No age limit! I will give ANYONE candy, I don't even care if you're wearing a costume- but I really need you to say trick or treat. Opening my door and everyone just standing there silently is painful.

Anyone of any age can dress up and not have it be weird... but trick-'r-treating? Anything over 12 is just fucking weird to me. I'm instantly sus of any adult doing it (unless they have a kid with them).

10

When (not if — there’s a few every year) clearly adult women knock on the door asking for a treat, I tell them they have to turn a trick first. Gets rid of them pretty quickly.

12-13 in Europe.

I'd say 9.

11

Thought this said Tik Tok for a second and was going to say 12. Then I realized- that works for both.

0, don't come to my house, these sweets are for me

I’m thinking before people drive…

After 14 you're weird outside of your neighborhood. If you don't have kids don't go

Nah man, that's definitely weird. I stopped around 13-14. After that, my friends and I got together for parties.

She's old enough to buy her own candy, it's time to quit mooching and creeping out the neighbors.

It's weird at any age.

Permanently Deleted

She needs to grow up. 😆