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83! People older than that will have a hard time competing with the ankle biters and they might shove their candy in the wrong bag!

I would rather have the big kids trick or treating then going out and getting in trouble or causing trouble....I have to admit that my pumpkins were destroyed by big kids one year, but I knew exactly who did it....some red faces when confronted.

When my kids went into Jr High I told them that they could continue to Trick or Treat with these conditions.
1. They had to create a great costume (no old clothes I'm a Hobo kind of thing)
2. They had to had to also Trick or Treat for UNICEF
If they met those two conditions they could Trick or Treat as much as they wanted. If all they were after was candy I would buy them the left over candy the day after Halloween. It worked. They were contented with the leftover candy that could be purchased at 1/2 off or better the day after Halloween.

I don't mind teenagers as long as they take the trouble to dress up in costume and are respectful of others, i.e., well-behaved. I think it is a good way to keep them out of trouble. If you give them candy, they don't have to take it from the little ones, which some will do. I used my teens to chaparone the little ones while I gave out candy. They deserved some reward for doing it.

Halloween can be a really fun time for kids of all ages - 1-100 - and to put an age limit isn't right.

In our area, there are several different chaperoned Halloween parties for different age groups. They all have fun, are in a safe environment, and have fun games to play for candy.

And Party Pooper Mom - what a great idea! I'm glad it worked.

My 17 year old still trick-or-treats, and it's not for the candy- it's for the fun. She doesn't even eat the candy and I have to really restrain myself from digging through to get the snickers! But I'd still rather have her out trick-or-treating than sneaking away to participate in alcohol, drugs and sex. She goes with respectful teens and so far, no one has complained!

I agree that it isn't a problem as long as they are respectful. If teenagers look at this as a fun way to spend their evening then I think it is great. There are a lot worse things they could be doing!

My older kids would trick-or-Treat for the younger kids and pick a random kid from a crowd that wasn't outgoing or was more respectful and share their candy with them. One year, my youngest was too ill to participate and my daughter (who was 16) went for him. She came back and gave her candy to him. She told all the houses she went to "my little brother was too sick to come, so I'm trick-or-treating for him" - she got so much candy because the houses in our neighborhood gave her two pieces each - one for her little brother and one for doing a selfless act. What a great way to teach responsibility.

I think it is ridiculous to put an age limit on Trick-or-Treating. That would mean we would have to put an age limit on dressing up too! I would rather see teens Trick-or-Treating than getting into trouble or doing something they should not be doing! It's called "good clean fun"!!

There has never actually been an age limit for children as far as trick or treating goes. Not that I can remember. Sometimes, the older teens are looking out for the little ones. Ever think of that? If so, I'm more than happy to hand them some treats for their kind supervision and protectiveness. I don't believe that any children that are mean, roudy and dangerous should be out with ANY other decent children.

I think there shouldn't be an age limit. As long as it is for fun and entertainment.

I trick-or-treated all the way through high school and possibly later. I loved it and loved watching the other kids' costumes. As long as you put some effort into making or buying a costume, (and aren't bullying younger kids), I think Halloween is an all-ages event!

I have to agree with the "fun", "helpfulness", and "better than other choices" comments. The only time it irks me is when a few come to the door without any! effort to create a worthwhile costume, or try to scoop up a whole handful of candy. My 16 yr old granddaughter plans her outfit as much as a year ahead. I've heard her come in the door, saying, "Next year I think I'll be...."

We as parents have an age limit for our kids. We told our son last halloween that he would not be trick or treating this year,he is now 13. That doesn't mean I don't want him to have fun. He is welcome to have friends over for a sleepover or to just hang out and hand out candy/or scare trick or treaters(not the tiny ones). I have made him a goody bag of his favorite candies. The reason we decided this is: the last years we have gone out we have seen teenagers nearly get in a fight in the street, and police had to be called, they consistently stole candy from unattended porches,and were just really rude. I don't hate teenagers, I just don't think it is safe for anyone to send them out in the dark with no supervision.Unfortunately the parents around here don't feel the same. Also, we get teens from other local communities that come in truck loads since our town is more upscale.They often clash with local kids too.It makes it less safe for everyone.

I think all trick or treaters should be welcomed. However, if a teen comes back to your home a second time, I would make a remark such as "Haven't I seen you before?". He/She would still get candy from me.

What a wonderful loving daughter you have. I'll bet you are truly proud of her.

I have never been a big fan of Halloween. I have come to regard it as sanctioned begging by children. I live in a neighborhood where most of the teenagers that come to my house don't have a costume on - run up to the door - hold out a sack (NO "TICK or TREAT") never say Thank-you and run away as quick as they came.

I also have parents who hold out a bag for me to deposit goodies in for an infant that is WAY too young to eat any candy and shouldn't be, but because they are in costume - they should get candy. I don't know about the rest of you but I spend about $40 a year on candy and go through it all before the night is through.

I would much rather see Halloween parties put on by local organizations that reward kids for their creativity and provide them a safe, fun way to spend the "holiday".

I don't think there should be an age limit, but I do agree with the costume "rule", and get a kick out of unloadeing my old unwanted canned goods on the unsuspecting teens who come to my house sans costume. As long as someone is wearing a costume, I don't mind giving candy.

Can goods? Whoa, that is cold!! I'll bet you get your windows soaped every year!! Bah, Humbug!

I think after 12 or 13, kids should stop going door to door and enjoy the holiday at a safe, chaperoned party. The ones that come to my door ring the bell too late for my liking and typically aren't in costume. I give them candy anyway, but I just feel they they're too old for it, especially when they don't even bother to dress up or just throw on their school sweatshirt or cheerleading outfit. I agree with Charlie Girl--the infants that aren't even walking yet--that's a bit much for me. I'm not buying candy to give to the parents! Do they really need free candy that badly? I love seeing the kids in costume, but when they don't even attempt to put together something homemade, I think it's a shame. In my day, that was half the fun and we wouldn't dream of going out without a costume. I'm always dismayed at the lack of thank-yous. It's ok if the wee ones need prompting from mom and dad at the curb, but older children should know better. Instead, they grab and run--trying to get to as many houses as possible before curfew. For the first time, this year I'm staying out for the evening to avoid the whole disappointment.

I'm with Charlie Girl. My neighborhood is the same way.

The worst thing is how it makes me feel, discouraged about our society, the general level of impoliteness and lack of quality parenting, and even a little bad about myself for not wanting to give candy to the older kids. To be honest, I don't think they need all that sugar and that kind of bothers me too. Like everything, I overthink it and sometimes I wonder if it's not economics why some kids show up without costume (trying to assume the best), then I feel bad for judging them for not showing up in a costume.

What's more is that the parents drive their children from door to door, which is utterly incomprehensible to me. That too, the laziness, makes me feel discouraged.

In short, now that I think about it, Halloween has become one big let down encapsulating so many things that are wrong with our society, most especially Americans overall feelings of entitlement. I'm so depressed now I have to go eat a leftover piece of candy to cheer myself. :-)

As a professor for a Midwestern College we lived right on the edge of campus. We know the students and we also know the number of sheets used for their "costumes". They are by all means just "big kids" wanting to get in on the candy brigade. They are satisfied with a couple treats and it is much easier to make them smile than to put the off. We always have extra for the "big kids".

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Parents, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles: You and only you should give your children and their children candy and goodies. You are letting strangers give candy to your children. Celebrate the real sacred holidays like Easter or Christmas!