October 2025 Feedback
Cult classic movie Hocus Pocus perfectly depicts 90’s (and 00’s) teen attitudes towards trick or treating—they were simply “too cool” to wear a costume. Whether they were stealing candy from younger kids or lighting candles to awaken the dead, teens were out wreaking havoc and getting into trouble—anything but trick or treating. However, it seems like there may have been a cultural shift, with many teens going out on Halloween night with friends. Some teens even wear elaborate themed group costumes in hopes of getting maximum candy loot. It got us thinking…
Is there a certain age that kids should stop trick or treating?
“Never. Stay young forever and have some fun. Life is so serious; if there is an opportunity to embrace the silly, do it. Wear the costume, get that candy. Happiest of Halloweens to you all!”
-Amanda C., Associate Editor of Cincinnati Family Magazine
“No. I probably went trick or treating until I was 15 or 16.”
-Jennifer C.
“No! Let kids be kids as long as they want to be.”
-Charla S.
“No. I love seeing the teenagers out and some of their costumes are super creative. Let them be kids while they can.”
-Jennifer M.
“There isn’t a specific age. If they are dressed up and being polite, I am giving them candy. I stopped sometime in high school.”
-Abby S.
“I seriously love seeing teenagers trick or treating. Kids are forced to grow up too fast, and I think it is awesome that they are out having wholesome fun. I fully recommend buying a big wholesale box of Ramen and handing it out to the teens who come to your house. It’s super inexpensive and worth every penny when you see their reactions.”
–Channing K.
“No way! Keep the fun alive. I was probably 13 when I stopped, but if kids have a good attitude about it, why not let them have some fun.”
-Laura P.
“No. I stopped after high school.”
-Erin C.
“No certain age. I was 12 though and stopped because I wanted to.”
-Amber W.
“Middle school.”
-Sarah L.
“I don’t care how old they are—if they’re in a costume and say trick or treat, I’m giving them something. I don’t remember at what age I stopped, but now at 58, I still love the treats!”
-Jennifer A.
“As long as they dress up and act respectfully, I think it’s great to have teenagers still being kids.”
-Michelle M.
“All ages are welcome to trick or treat!”
-Kelsey K.
“Absolutely not. If they are behaving themselves, let them trick or treat for as long as they want.”
-Beth R.
“I feel like when I was 12-13, kids were kind of looked down on if they wanted to keep trick or treating and it wasn’t cool. I felt sad when none of my friends wanted to go out with me anymore. But now, you see like hoards of teenagers out together just laughing and having fun. It’s healing my inner child! Ha. So no. I don’t think there is an age when kids should stop.”
-Sarah L.
“Nope! Let them have fun!”
-Amanda C.
“Anything that keeps kids out of trouble is good in my book. Come get your candy, teens.”
-Ashley P.
“No. My reasoning might be a little different though. We have a really long driveway, so anyone who comes to my door on Halloween night earns a full size candy bar.”
-Megan B.
“If anyone answers this question with anything other than “No.”, they are seriously a buzz kill. Let the teens be kids. It’s candy; it’s not that serious. Don’t gatekeep fun.”
-Lauren H.
“Probably around 13. It’s just part of growing up and phasing out kid stuff.”
-Mike S.
