“Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat. If you don’t, I won’t be sad, I’ll just make you wish you had!”

Kids remember the rhyme that filled the streets on Halloween night when they would go trick or treating. But should teenagers still be singing nursery rhymes and collecting candy every year? Are high schoolers too old to be trick or treating? Is there an age when people should stop participating? The Prospector’s staffers share their personal opinions and experiences. 

When asked what they think is the appropriate age to go trick or treating, four out of fifteen anonymous staffers agreed that there should be no age limit on trick or treating and that Halloween should be for everyone to enjoy themselves and socialize. 

Said one staffer, “As you get older, it becomes less about trick or treating for candy and more about the experience. It’s [a] fun tradition to keep your inner child alive.” 

Another staffer agreed, bringing up a different point. 

“There may be certain neighborhoods and locations that are more appropriate for certain ages. You wouldn’t want to take your toddler somewhere [with] a lot of gory [and] explicit decorations,” the staffer said.

Despite the opinions of staffers who thought that trick or treating should be for everyone, ten of fifteen staffers thought that the activity should be capped after graduating high school. 

Said one staffer, “It seems a little strange to go as a 20-year-old without any little kids like you’re just there to steal candy from others.” 

Another staffer added, “I wouldn’t want some college kid at my door.”

Although the survey respondents disagreed about the age to restrict trick or treating, they unanimously agreed that there should be nothing wrong with high school students trick or treating. In fact, eleven of the fifteen staffers have gone within the last two years, noting their love for the costumes, dressing up and getting to hang out with friends and family. 

Said one staffer, “I have a little sister so I love going with her and making new memories.” 

“The childlike wonder and freedom of Halloween is something I’m not quite ready to outgrow yet,” said another staffer.

Even though most staffers still find joy in trick or treating as a teenager, a couple staffers recalled the weird looks or confusion they’d get when someone answered the door. 

“One house thought I was there for a business proposal,” said one staffer. “I was dressed matching with my friend in a suit, but I even had a skirt.”

Some staffers might have received judgment when trick or treating as a teenager, but nine of twelve staffers agreed that it is an outdated and unnecessary notion to believe that only children should go trick or treating. These staffers agreed that all people should be able to enjoy the activity of getting free candy as long as they are responsible and respectful. 

“I think Halloween’s spirit of fun and community should be for all ages. Joining in the festivities fosters nostalgia and neighborhood camaraderie that we could use more of, not less,” said one staffer.