Are High Schoolers Too Old To Trick or Treat?

Written by Kathryn Golding

Trick or treating is typically associated with young children in costumes going door-to-door in an attempt to get as much candy as they can. This makes the holiday feel innocent, despite its scary themes. Teens, who are still young, can participate in this without disrupting the mood. That is, as long as they show respect to those handing out treats and don’t damage property, pull pranks, or take all of the candy. Activities like this steal the spooky holiday spirit.

Many responsible teens are able to participate in Halloween and have fun alongside much smaller kids. However, parents’ main concern involving teens trick or treating is that they are more likely to disrespect the people handing out candy. Small age differences may make the interaction of trick or treating and handing out candy tense, and it’s well known that teens often take advantage of a bowl full of candy left on a porch unattended. Halloween movies, which exaggerate the actions of characters to be more entertaining, also tend to portray teenage characters pranking and toilet-papering houses on the holiday. This gives the people handing out candy even more concerns.

However, not all teens go trick or treating with bad intentions. Some go for fun to get free candy, and others even work with organizations such as UNICEF to trick or treat for donations instead of sugar. Working with organizations allows teens to go out and experience the fun of trick or treating while helping those in need. Trick or treating can also remove some of the stress teens face when it comes to dressing up as a group and going to a party. Instead of being very serious with group costumes and parties, trick or treating may allow for a far less stressful option where teens can treat the holiday the same way they did as kids and simply enjoy the night.

Some parents might also have concerns about sending their children to parties where they won’t always know what’s going on. Trick or treating offers parents a good way to make sure their teens aren’t doing anything bad. It’s an option that will give them an idea of what their teen is doing without forcing them to stay home and hand out candy, where a bad mood may ruin the night for everyone. It’s important to note that in some areas, such as Chesapeake, Virginia, trick or treating is illegal to those over 14. If you’re 14 or older and choose to disregard this law, you would be charged with a Class 4 Misdemeanor. This same charge would be given to anyone, regardless of age, who stays out to trick or treat after 8:00 p.m. The law was revised in 2019. Before then, the age was set at 12, and an additional punishment was up to six months in jail. A few other towns have made the same move, deciding for the teens themselves whether or not they have that option. As of now, Highlands Ranch does not appear to have any similar laws.

Most towns and cities leave it up to the teens to make these decisions. Although some parents may frown when they see a dressed-up teen show at their door holding a bag open for candy, many appear to be accepting of it. When teens are respectful and responsible, they can contribute to the spirit of Halloween.