For most kids around the US, trick or treating is the highlight of Halloween and the October season. Trick-or-treating is also one of the most nostalgic and popular parts of the spooky season. However, I believe that we are too old for trick-or-treating once we reach high school.

In reality, the idea and the market of trick-or-treating is aimed at young kids; dressing up, getting candy, and visiting all the houses with their bright decorations. At some point, which I believe is high school, seeing older kids going around ruins the fun, childish atmosphere of tricking and treating. This is not to say that Halloween is not for high schoolers, but rather the aspect of going from house to house collecting candy is not. 

There are plenty of other fun seasonal activities available to teens. As Will Venable ‘28 stated, “When you’re in high school, I think It’s more fun to go to parties”. Parties are an extremely fun alternative. While these may not be quite the same as trick-or-treating they provide a more age-appropriate environment with more equally engaging activities. 

Another reason why high school students shouldn’t trick-or-treat is because, frankly, neighbors aren’t as inclined to give older kids candy. A lot of the fun for adults and homeowners comes from seeing little kids dressed up in fun costumes with their big cheesy smiles. Once you introduce teenagers to this mix, the homeowners are likely to be less awed by seeing a bunch of acne-spotted teenagers begging for candy. Due to this more and more each year I and many of my friends have seen houses with lights completely shut off, not giving out candy. By allowing high schoolers to participate in trick-or-treating the entire tradition is ruined for younger generations. 

On top of this, at the rate at which houses have stopped participating in a few years, trick-or-treating may not be able to continue. I urge you to skip trick-or-treating and go to or host a Halloween party with your friends, and let the younger kids enjoy their childhood so they and generations to come can look back and say, “I remember when I used to trick-or-treat!”