Trick-or-treating is a staple in childhood. It’s something that most of us have done all throughout elementary and middle school. But high school is when things seem to get more complicated. You may start to wonder, when should the cut-off be?
I sent out a Google form to all the high schoolers at BSM asking three questions: Are you going trick-or-treating or not? Do you think there is an age cut-off or not? If you think there is, what is the age cut-off? Out of the students that replied, over half of them aren’t going trick-or-treating, and over half of them said there is a cut-off age. The most common response for the cut-off age was 13-14 years old followed by the second most common response which was 17-18 years old.
In my opinion, I think that it’s reasonable to trick-or-treat for as long as you want in high school as long as you are keeping some important things in mind. You have to ask yourself: will there be enough candy left for younger kids to have if I take some? Is my costume scaring little kids? Am I upsetting the parents with my behavior? I think that you just need to remember that you are the older kid, and you should know to let the little kids have fun first and then have fun yourself.
I also think it depends on your neighborhood because if the trick-or-treating crowd is full of parents and toddlers, It would be pretty weird to go out. The parents would probably wonder why you are taking candy instead of giving it out.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love the free candy, but I am old enough to buy my own candy! This year I might only go to a few neighbors’ houses so I can chat with them and then possibly take a piece of candy while I am at it. I want the candy but don’t want to do all of the work! I think that comes with age though, because you realize you can just buy the candy yourself.
I think it’s fully acceptable to go whenever you want in high school as long as you are being appropriate, and considerate. The real question when deciding to go trick-or-treating after a long day of high school is if you have the energy.