Each Halloween, streets fill with costume-wearing, candy bag-holding trick-or-treaters —but where do high schoolers fit in? Are they too old to knock on doors seeking treats, or is Halloween ageless fun for everyone? For many high school students, the question looming each year is “ Am I too old to trick-or-treat?” Trick-or-treating is the pinnacle of Halloween fun and festivities, but some argue that this activity should be for younger children only. Others believe Halloween is for everyone, regardless of age.
“Maybe [you could] go after the little kids [go trick-or-treating] so you don’t take all their candy. I think after a while it’s uncomfortable to go trick-or-treating if you’re that old,” says Amit Benyaheskul (‘28).
This sentiment resonates with many who see Halloween as a night primarily for younger kids. Some say high schoolers should leave trick-or-treating to the younger children. Parents may also feel uncomfortable when hordes of teenagers – some of whom are taller and bigger than they are -come knocking on their doors late at night, viewing them as potential safety concerns. Some students sense they are no longer welcome and, as students prepare for life beyond school, they may feel pressure to let go of childhood traditions.
“I am perfectly ok with having older kids come trick-or-treating at my house. I just don’t like when they are in very scary costumes or trick-or-treating super late,” says AVJournalism advisor Wendy Connelly.
On the other hand, some believe that trick-or-treating is a tradition that anyone can enjoy, regardless of age. In fact, for high schoolers, trick-or-treating can be a fun way to relive childhood memories. For many, trick-or-treating offers a sense of nostalgia, a way to momentarily recapture the carefree fun of childhood.
“I still have family friends who go trick-or-treating. [One’s] in his senior year, but he goes after all the little kids,” says Raima Ghosh (‘28)
Some neighborhoods may have differing opinions regarding age limits for trick-or-treating, imposing an unofficial ban on older teens. Yet, others may argue that Halloween is what you make of it. Ultimately, whether high schoolers are “too old” to trick-or-treat is a personal decision. After all, who says Halloween festivities have to have an age limit?
