When you were a little kid, you probably spent months planning your Halloween costume and dreaming of all the candy you’d collect from your neighbors. But now that you’re a teen (or just about there), you might get some side-eye from adults if you trick-or-treat. Some people believe Halloween should be a holiday for children, and teens should leave the trick-or-treating to younger kids. But others say you’re never too old to celebrate the holiday by dressing up and going door-to-door for candy. What do you think? By the time you’re a teen, should you find another way to spend October 31?

Are Teens Too Old to Trick-or-Treat?
Yes!
Teens are too old for trick-or-treating. Halloween is a fun holiday, but teens should find other ways to celebrate. In my neighborhood, it’s frowned upon for teens to trick-or-treat because they often take excessive amounts of candy, ruining the fun for younger kids. Small children might also feel overwhelmed if the streets are filled with rowdy teens in scary costumes. Instead, teens should find more age-appropriate activities on Halloween. For example, I volunteered at a jack-o’-lantern painting event one year. Teens could also go to costume parties or organize haunted house tours for younger children. These activities allow us to still engage in the festive spirit of Halloween while respecting our communities.
—Vin Bhat, California
No!
Age shouldn’t prevent you from trick-or-treating. Why should teens be barred from an activity that celebrates creativity and community? My friends and I went trick-or-treating last year before heading to a party, and it was super fun. Many teens have a hard time figuring out what to do on Halloween. We still enjoy dressing up and being part of the festivities, but Halloween parties often don’t start until later in the evening. The perfect solution is for us to go trick-or-treating. We aren’t trying to be a nuisance to little kids and their parents—we’re just trying to score free candy like everyone else! I personally love the childlike joy I get from trick-or-treating. Adults shouldn’t look down on teens trying to have wholesome fun.
—Kate Krugman, Georgia
Should teens leave trick-or-treating to the little kids?
Should teens leave trick-or-treating to the little kids?
Should teens leave trick-or-treating to the little kids?