Halloween trick or treating: How old is too old? Kiwi parents speak

Should their be an age limit for kids wanting to go trick or treating for Halloween? Photo / Getty Images

Children across the country will be looking forward to trick or treating with Halloween tonight.

Many of us will be happy to hand out sweets or chocolates to tots in costume - but would teenagers be as welcome?

Parents from across New Zealand and the world have taken to social media to question whether or not teenagers are too old to indulge in the tradition.

One mum told the Herald she believes "ages 4 to 15 seem like an appropriate age but hell if you want to do it in your 20s go for it".

Another concerned mother took to a parenting forum writing: "15yo DD [darling daughter] has planned a whole route with her friends.

"I've said to her I think she's too old but she would be missing out on a chance to socialise with her [very sensible] friends. I suppose this is sort of a wwyd?"

It wasn't long before her fellow mothers came forward with their advice - with many agreeing that 15 was in fact too old for trick or treating.

• Scroll down to vote on the appropriate age for children to start trick or treating

One commented: "15 way too old IMO [in my opinion]. Ours stopped well before going to High School.

"It's for the younger children around here. I don't know what teens get out of it, they would be better off having a Halloween party than knocking on people's doors for sweets at that age."

Many members of the thread said that they were concerned that teenagers would be looking for cash rather than sweets.

Mums weigh in on their experience with trick or treaters. Image / Mumsnet

One concerned parent wrote: "Anything past primary age is too old. All the primary kids round here do trick or treat, but are supervised.

"There's always a few teenagers trying their luck though, and they always ask for money."

Another user agreed adding: "I'd worry that they'd be up to no good or looking for money. Honestly I don't think I'd let her."

For many mothers, their main concern was that a group of teenagers may upset elderly residents.

Other Kiwis are more sceptical of the whole event, with a swarm of people telling the Herald Halloween has no place in New Zealand.

"Halloween has no place in New Zealand. It wasn't really thought about until the Warehouse commercialised it!"

"An American celebration which has become popular due to globalisation. Not historically a British or Kiwi event."