Free candy is pretty hard to resist, no matter how old you are. So when it comes to Halloween and Trick or Treating how old is too old to be going door to door looking for a hand out?
At 13 I knew I was too old but was too blinded by the promise of free candy to care. At 16 I drove my sister (4 years, 10 months my junior) around and made her split her haul with me. Now? I live vicariously through my children, offering up assistance when sorting the good candy from the bad candy, effectively swiping most of the really awesome candy into a secret stash that I will later eat while hiding in the laundry room for short periods over the next few months.
So, I did it when I was too old, why am I so bothered when these kids come to my door towering over the itty bittys trying to to fight their way to the candy bowl? Please tell me I was a little more considerate than what I see happening now….. Most likely not, but I was wise enough to still put effort into making myself up, unlike some who throw on a t-shirt with a skull on the front and declare it a “costume.”
No one ever called me out on my shenanigans, maybe because like me, they were too afraid of ending up on the “trick” part of the holiday and waking up to a house that has been egged or rolled.
So here’s a good rule to follow: if you’re too old for a party at the bounce house, or Chuck E Cheese, you’re too old to be on my doorstep Halloween night.
What do you think? What’s the age limit for trick or treating?
I have a daughter who is 12 years old and 5’5. We pushed the limits last year with this issue. Cleverly, disquising what I consider as an overage treater, in an overly awesome costume! She has already began the whining and I hate being a tween! Wah,wah,wah! I told her no way would I be rolling up at any Harvest Festivals with her towering behind in tow. We have compromised with the promise of me making her favorite pound cake and inviting a few of the neighborhood girls over for a few games and maybe a movie. Geesh…pick a struggle kid!