Fairleigh Dickinson University poll reveals what age Americans think trick-or-treating should stop
The survey also shows that 1 in 8 Americans plan to hand out full-sized candy bars this year.
More Stories
Are you ever too old to go trick-or-treating? According to a new poll by Fairleigh Dickinson University, the answer is yes.
Specifically, the poll revealed that the majority of Americans believe you should stop trick-or-treating at age 13 1/2. In the latest Fairleigh Dickinson University survey, people were asked at what age children should stop trick-or-treated and according to the responses, older Americans were more likely to say that children should stop trick-or-treating by age 11 or 12. Younger Americans, however, indicated that kids should be able to take part in the Halloween tradition indefinitely.
“Secular holidays like Halloween require us to make up our own practices and norms,” said Dan Cassino, a professor of government and politics at Fairleigh Dickinson, and the executive director of the poll. “Local practices vary widely, but the consensus on when kids should stop trick-or-treating are very stable across groups.”
Among multiple age, race and even political groups that answered the survey, the average age given for ending the tradition was 13 1/2 years old.
In addition, the survey, which was conducted between Oct. 8 and 14 of this year, showed that political and social views play a part in views on trick-or-treating. For example, supporters of both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump gave 13 1/2 as the average age to stop seeking candy on Halloween, but Trump supporters were slightly less likely to agree that it was appropriate for kids to ask for candy at any age.
The poll also shows that the groups most open to kids of any age trick-or-treating are Americans who consider themselves to be part of the LGBTQ+ community, according to an FDU statement.
“Politics isn’t just about how you’re voting: it’s a way of seeing the world,” Cassino said. “Groups that push for more generous social benefits are also more open to giving candy away to anyone who comes to their door.”
As far as the candy people plan to give out to trick-or-treaters, 12% of voters say they plan to hand out full-size candy or chocolate bars while 46% will stick with the popular mini or "fun size" candy. Surprisingly, about one-third of of people say they don't plan on handing out anything this Halloween while 2% will give out treats that are not food.
FDU conducted the survey using a nationwide list of registered voters, contacting them by phone and text, collecting a total of 806 registered voters.
