How Old Is Too Old To Go Trick Or Treating?
Halloween is here, and we’re all ready to give out candy to the little kids in the neighborhood. It’s fun to see what the kids have decided on this year, are there any outside the box costumes? What is the big costume this year that you’ll see 30 times tonight? But then you get the kids that show up at almost the end of the night, when you’re ready to wrap it up for the night. They definitely are older, and you can’t help but make you think how old is too old to go trick-or-treating?
I believe I have the right number… 15 should be the end for trick-or-treaters. That could even be slightly too old, but if you can’t drive yet we should give them some leeway. If you’re old enough to drive, you’re too old to be walking the streets collecting candy. This seems completely reasonable, but a few cities are going even harder on the age limit.
In Belleville, Illinois a law says it is, “unlawful for any person to appear on the streets, highways, public homes, private homes or public places in the city to make trick or treat visitations” unless they are in the eighth grade or below.” I think you can’t really cancel Halloween for kids who just started high school. Are we going to put 13-15 year olds in Halloween purgatory, and make them hand out candy to the younger kids? That’s like the Halloween version of A Christmas Carol. The 13-15 year olds are the ghosts of Halloween future for the younger kids walking around.
Virginia might be for lovers, but they hate teenage trick-or-treaters. They have a few towns with laws on the books that say 12 is too old. There is a law from the 70’s that threatened 6 months in jail if anyone 12 or over was caught trick-or-treating. What group of grumpy old men wrote that law?
It’s a fine line when it comes to being too old to trick-or-treat, but the bright red line is driving age. If you’re old enough to drive, or old enough to have a legitimate boyfriend or girlfriend no more candy hunting for you. Happy Halloween.
9 Worst Trick or Treat Handouts for Halloween
Key Chains
Keychains are handy, but they’re not exactly the kind of treasure kids hope to find in their candy haul. They want stuff that’s sweet, not stuff for keys they don’t have. Save yourself some money and pass on key chains.
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Hygiene Products
We all know cleanliness is important, but getting soap, shampoo, or hand sanitizer in your treat bag on Halloween is not what kids look forward to. It’s a treat, not a trip to the pharmacy. It’s like getting socks for Christmas. While practical, it’s not exactly exciting.
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Loose Change
Coins may have been an acceptable treat decades ago, but nowadays, they’re seen as disappointing. Kids prefer candy. Or maybe small toys (if they’re exciting/cool enough). Unless, you’re giving away the big bucks, steer clear of this one.
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Trail Mix
Healthy snacks are great, but Halloween is all about the sugar rush. Kids aren’t exactly thrilled to find a mix of fruit and nuts in their bag. They’re hoping for chocolates and gummies, not something they associate with after-school snacks.
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Coupons
Adults may appreciate coupons for discounts at local businesses, but they don’t make for a fun Halloween treat for kids. Saving money is cool, but Halloween is all about instant gratification. And coupons for discounts don’t really make the cut.
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Brochures or Pamphlets
Halloween is not the time to distribute religious or informational materials. Kids are looking for fun and treats, not pamphlets. Consider giving those away another day that’s not Halloween.
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Toothbrushes and Dental Floss
Halloween is all about the candy, right? So, if you toss a toothbrush or dental floss into a kid’s stash of treats, you’re basically inviting disappointment. Plus, it’s safe to assume that the trick-or-treater already has a toothbrush. Do they truly need another one?
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Unwrapped Candy
Throwing unwrapped candy into a plastic pumpkin? That’s just asking for a sticky mess. Plus, it’s not the cleanest option. And given the concerns these days, it’s just another worry for parents who fear someone might mess with their child’s candy.
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Homemade Treats
Those fancy homemade snacks that look like they came straight from Pinterest can be cute, but if you don’t really know the kids or their parents, they might wonder about your intentions. Sticking to pre-packaged treats is your best bet on Halloween, especially if you’re trying to keep trick-or-treating simple and sanitary.
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