I remember being in sixth grade on Halloween day, talking with some of my other friends about what we were going to do that night. While everyone was discussing costumes and candy, one of the girls proudly declares:

"I'm having a Halloween party this year. We're too old to trick-or-treat now anyway."

I remember being shocked. Too old to trick or treat? Who had ever heard of such a thing.

Looking back on it now, it seems ridiculous that any 11 year old would be worried about being too old for trick-or-treating. I'm not ashamed to admit that I went trick-or-treating every year of high school with my friends.

There is some debate over whether or not teenagers or adults are considered too old to be trick or treating. When some parents think of teens or older kids trick-or-treating, they may think of teens freeloading off of other people's candy without wearing costumes, or wearing inappropriate costumes or behaving in inappropriate ways

However, most teens who want to trick or treat want to participate for the very same reason that kids do; to show off their costumes, have fun with their friends, look at other people's costumes, admire people's home decorations, and get some candy along the way.

In some areas, there are age restrictions to trick-or-treating, such as not being able to participate past the age of 14. Some people think it shouldn't be past the age of 12.

A lot of people tend to grow out of trick-or-treating as they get older anyway, mostly because as you grow up you realize that you can go buy huge bags of candy at the dollar store any time you want, and Halloween parties or other events start to appeal to older kids more anyway.

As long as teens who participate in trick or treating wear costumes that are appropriate, behave in respectful ways, understand not to go around ringing doorbells past a certain time, and are mindful of the fact that there are younger kids around, I don't see anything wrong with it. Some may see it as childish, but it is much better than the thousands of ways they could be getting themselves into trouble. It is a simple matter of having good, clean fun.