What age should you stop kids trick or treating? A psychologist weighs in

It’s spooky season and many of us are thinking about what costume we are going to don this Halloween.

But many parents will surely be wondering how old is too old for their children to go trick or treating – as it does seem like something we inevitably grow out of.

Psychologist Bayu Prihandito tells Metro.co.uk: ‘In my experience, you’ll often find that kids around the age of 12 to 14 are when they start moving away from the tradition of trick-or-treat.

‘By this age, many will start to develop other social interests and activities. They begin to look for more independence and might prefer spending Halloween in a different way, such as going to parties or spending time their friends at home.

‘Kids in this age group are transitioning from their childhood to adolescence.

‘They’re becoming more aware of how they’re perceived by friends and are often eager to be seen as mature. Trick-or-treating might start to feel “childish” to them, and their interests begin to align more with those of older teens.

‘They are also at a stage where peer influence becomes significant, and the opinions of their friends hold more weight than before. If their friends are moving away from trick-or-treating, it’s likely they will too.’

But if you’re a parent whose child is still going trick or treating and you’re wondering if they’re a bit too big (and scary) for the neighbours, Bayu has some thoughts.

He says: ‘In my opinion, it can be healthy for parents to have a talk with their kids about the transition away from trick-or-treating, but it should be an open, friendly dialogue rather than a directive.

‘It’s important to understand and value the child’s perspective and feelings. It’s about balancing the their emotional and social development while also considering societal norms and expectations.’

If a teen is down in the dumps about it, Bayu says you could suggest other Halloween activities so it doesn’t feel like you’re simply depriving them of a fun and spooky experience.

He suggests the following activities for older kids:

Halloween Parties

‘Older kids might enjoy attending or hosting themed parties with games, costumes, and treats at a friend’s house.’

Haunted Houses

‘They could visit haunted attractions, it’s often an exciting and thrilling way for teens to celebrate Halloween with their friends.’

Movie Nights

‘Hosting a Halloween movie marathon with classic horror or Halloween-themed films can be both fun and social.’

Creative Halloween

‘Parents could involve their kids in creative projects like carving pumpkins or making more elaborate costumes, as it can be fulfilling and promoting their creativity.’

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