![Alexander Oki ‘28 picks up trash in the lower parking lot Feb. 20. According to Keep America Beautiful, the majority of the trash found on both roads and waterways consists of fast food wrappers and packaging, receipts and plastic beverage bottles. Clubs like the National Honor Society (NHS) offer students the opportunity to earn service hours by cleaning up the trash in the parking lots. “[The trash] makes us look very unhygienic and unmotivated to be a proper school,” Emberlyse Vidal ‘28 said. “It makes us look like we just don't care about our students' environments.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20260220_1355020-2-1200x904.jpg)
Trick or treating, chilly air, fun costumes and eating way too much candy; this is what many associate with their childhood and what makes people feel the Halloween spirit. But at what age does this magical tradition need to come to an end?
Many believe this tradition should be carried on for as long as possible; why put an end to the joy of trick-or-treating?
Yet some people believe that trick-or-treating is childish and letting go of this tradition is essential to growing up and becoming mature.
Some may even really want to keep trick or treating but fear that adults will be upset with their presence due to stereotypes tied to many teenagers being disrespectful on Halloween.
A Yahoo/YouGov survey of 1,770 U.S. adults conducted from Oct. 23 to 27, found that “more than a third (37%) believe there’s no age limit for trick-or-treating. However, 25% think 16 and older is too old to collect candy, while 22% set the cutoff at 13-15 years old.”
Many adults believe that teenagers shouldn’t be trick-or-treating because it is meant for younger kids, and many teenagers are told to act more like adults and be more mature.
Are teenagers not still considered children? If they truly should be acting like adults, why can’t they vote till they are 18? Why can’t they join the military until they are 18? The answer is because teenagers are still, in fact, children.
“You should trick or treat all the way through high school because you’re only young once, so you should get out there and have some fun, but don’t cause mischief.” Choir teacher Julia Dale said.
Due to many teenagers being discouraged from trick or treating, they resort to more “adult” celebrations such as partying, which can include underage drinking, drugs and dangerous people. This is way more detrimental than simply walking around collecting candy in costumes.
According to Orr Law Firm, “It is not uncommon for high school and college Halloween parties to involve alcohol and even drugs. Yet, underage drinking and drug possession carries severe consequences like criminal penalties as well as being suspended or expelled from school.”
Many students believe that trick or treating is a super fun holiday tradition that should be celebrated by anyone who has the desire to participate in.
“I went trick-or-treating this year! You can trick or treat until whenever because trick or treating is free candy for everybody, and it’s just like a fun thing to do, and you get to meet new people.” Kaylee Goldstein ‘29 said.
“Yes, I went trick-or-treating. No age [should teens not trick or treat], people should always do it. It’s fun, why put restrictions,” Gabby Koeing ‘28 said.
Some students also have younger siblings that they chaperone on Halloween night.
“I went with my brother and his friends, and I also went with my best friend. If you’re 20 and above, I think that’s a good time to stop,” Saanvi Korda ‘26 said.
And many love the fun of trick or treating, but do believe that once you’re an official adult, it’s an appropriate time to stop to pave the way for little kids.
“Yes, I went trick-or-treating this year. If you’re over 18, you should probably stop trick-or-treating because it should be more for kids,” Tanner Hadley ‘28 said.
No matter how you decide to celebrate Halloween next year, remember you’re still a child at heart and should have no shame in trick-or-treating as a teenager. Either way, remember to stay safe and be respectful of your community.
Sarah Jun • Mar 30, 2026 at 5:41 pm
I liked how this article talked about both sides of the argument because it made it more interesting and relatable. I agree that people shouldn’t be judged for trick-or-treating, especially since it’s just something fun and harmless. The examples and opinions made it feel real. I would love to see more about where people personally draw the line.
Tristan Llado • Mar 27, 2026 at 8:45 am
This article raises a pretty important social question in whether or not there is an age limit for trick or treating. I agree with most of the things said in the article, and would also like to add that although teenagers don’t necessarily look at trick or treating in a bad light, there definitely is a conception that it is “childish”. I also agree with the idea that some people opt out in order to leave more candy for the younger children. If I were a little kid again, I definitely would not want to be competing with teenagers for hard earned Halloween candy.