In Minnesota – What is an Appropriate Age for Trick or Treating?

This Thursday is Halloween.  And if you have looked at the forecast, it's going to be the coldest day of the week.  But, with that said, it's also going to be seasonal for that day  We have just been in a warming pattern for the last several weeks.

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It's so fun to answer the door and see so many cute littles in their costumes coming to get delicious treats to fill their bag, bucket, or whatever.  When I was a kid it was mostly pillow cases.

But when you get kids knocking at the door and they drove themselves to your neighborhood to beg for candy, it it too old?  I say no.  If someone is going to take the time to dress up, go door to door trick or treating, so be it.  It's free candy day for everyone.  Have fun.

To be clear, the most common age to STOP trick or treating is between the ages of 12 and 16. I have also seen some peope who have candy for the littles, and then offer adult beverages for the adults who accompany them.  That's fun too.  To each their own.  Luckily, it's up to you.

Some people take great offense at "kids" who are older teenagers and still go trick or treating, which is silly. It's just fun.  And like I said above - it's free candy day.  Since you live here in Minnesota - you are good to go at any age.  But there are actually towns and cities across the country that will ban trick or treating after a certain age.

From Parents Magazine:

• Chesapeake, Virginia: The city of Chesapeake limits trick-or-treating to kids 14 and under, and older trick-or-treaters can even be charged with a Class 4 misdemeanor.1 Other cities in Virginia have similar trick-or-treat age limit laws in place, including Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Norfolk.
• Upper Deerfield Township, New Jersey: Upper Deerfield Township has had a trick-or-treat age recommendation for over 30 years that advises against trick-or-treating for kids over 12 (though action has never been taken).2
• Belleville, Illinois: Bellville has a law called "Halloween Solicitation," which forbids children over age 12 from wearing a mask. Those in 9th grade or above can't "appear on the streets, highways, public homes, private homes, or public places in the city to make trick-or-treat visitations."3
• Charleston, South Carolina: Charleston restricts trick-or-treating for teens over 16, who also aren't allowed to wear a mask in public places.4
  

  Halloween Safety – The Short List. Charleston-SC.gov. 2017.

   

See?  Things could be worse.  Be glad you live in the great state of Minnesota. At least for this reason.  Happy Halloween!!