The Ultimate Trick-or-Treat Guide for Kids & Adults

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Everything you need for a successful night trick-or-treating
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The jack-o-lanterns are carved, your costume is all picked out, and the sun is just starting to set on a spooky Halloween night. Now it’s time for the best part: trick-or-treating! Grab a group of friends, stock up on flashlights or glow sticks, and get ready to indulge that sweet tooth. We have everything you need to know about trick-or-treating —including how to hand out candy and safety tips for trick-or-treaters . With a few simple tips, you can have a safe and successful trick-or-treating experience, complete with a whole pile of tasty candy. Happy Halloween!

How do you trick or treat?

  1. Go up to a house with the lights on.
  2. Knock on the door.
  3. Say “Trick or Treat!” when someone opens the door.
  4. Take one piece of candy.
  5. Look at them and say, “Thank you!”
  6. Walk to the next house (don’t run).
Section 1 of 4:

Going from House to House

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  1. You'll probably want to start trick-or-treating as soon as you get home from school, but be patient! Have a good dinner to fuel you up for the night (and to keep you from filling up on candy), and wait until the sun starts to get a little lower before you head out. In most communities, trick-or-treating usually happens between 6 and 9 PM. [1]
    • If you’re going with younger kids, you might need to leave even earlier to make sure you get home by bedtime.
    • Some neighborhoods celebrate Halloween on a weekend night, but in most places, trick-or-treating happens on the actual night of Halloween, even if it’s a school night.
    • Some smaller towns might have specified trick-or-treating times to follow, and some communities may have trick-or-treat in the afternoon for kids and parents who aren't comfortable being out after dark.
    • Ask your neighbors or check your local newspapers or social media pages to find out what time trick-or-treat starts and on what date, or try googling "when does trick or treat start in [your town]."
  2. You can collect candy in whatever container you want. Reusable bags are a good option, or go with a pillowcase for an option that will hold a lot of candy. You can also go with a pumpkin-shaped container or a Halloween tote bag for an option with more holiday spirit. Try to bring something you can hold on to easily, and make sure it’s strong enough to hold a few pounds of candy.
    • You can even choose a bag that matches your costume. If you dress up as a mermaid, for example, you could have a bag with shiny sequins on it like scales, or bring one shaped like a fish.
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  3. Look for houses that have their front porch light on, with jack-o-lanterns and other Halloween decorations out front. This means that the people are home and celebrating—and ready to give you candy! If the lights are off, they’re probably not around. Skip it and go on to the next one instead. [2]
    • Be considerate of other trick-or-treaters. If there are already kids at the door, wait on the sidewalk or lawn for that group to move out of the way before you go up to the door. [3]
  4. Some people will leave a bowl of candy on their front step when they know they’ll be out on Halloween night. In this case, just take one piece of candy from the bowl (unless there’s a note saying you can take more) and move on to the next house. [4]
    • It’s tempting to take a lot of candy when there’s no one there to see, but remember that other kids will be coming to the house after you. Let them get their share of candy, too.
  5. If no one answers your knock after a minute or so, you can try one more time. If no one answers after that, just go on to the next house. It might feel a little disappointing, but you’ll save time and get more candy if you move on fast. [5]
    • Don’t touch any Halloween decorations or anything on their porch on your way up to the door. You don’t want to break anything!
  6. They’ll probably say “Happy Halloween!” or compliment you on your costume, then hold out the candy. Don’t hog the bowl to search for your favorite piece—just take the best one that you see on top. If you don’t like any you see, take a piece anyway to be polite. You can always trade later with your friends! [6]
    • Just take one piece of candy, unless they say you can grab more.
    • You can say “Trick or treat” in a loud, excited voice, but don’t yell.
  7. After you’ve grabbed your candy, look up at the person and say “Thank you! Happy Halloween!” This shows that you’re polite and appreciative, which is especially important if you decide to come back next year. [7]
  8. No matter how quickly you want to move on to the next house, stick to the driveways and sidewalks to get there. It’s rude to cut across people’s lawns or gardens, and you might trample their shrubs or flowers by mistake. [8]
  9. Trick-or-treating in an apartment building can be just as fun as going around the neighborhood! You won’t have to worry about chilly (or hot) weather, plus you’ll fill up your candy bag more quickly without walking quite as much. Knock on doors with Halloween decorations and jack-o-lanterns to make sure the inhabitants are handing out candy. [9]
    • Trick-or-treating in an apartment complex is also safer, since you won’t have to deal with traffic or dark streets.
  10. You might want to stay out all night getting more candy, but houses will start to run out as it gets later. Some people might want to go to sleep, too! It can also get more dangerous to stay out past 8:30 or so, as fewer trick or treating groups are out—so you might be less visible to drivers who aren’t expecting kids to be out anymore. [10]
    • Ask your parents beforehand if they want you home by a certain time.
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Section 2 of 4:

Handing Out Candy

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  1. 1
    Turn on your porch light to let trick-or-treaters know you’re participating. The easiest way to let people know you’re handing out candy is to flip on a porch light. You can also decorate your porch or doorway if you want to, but it’s not a requirement (same with dressing up—you can if you want, but you don’t have to). [11]
    • Before trick-or-treating starts, double-check that your walkways, porch, and lawn are clear of any debris, toys, or objects that could cause children to trip and fall. Sweep away any wet leaves from your porch and stairs, too.
    • If you have jack-o-lanterns with candles, keep them far away from walkways—you don’t want a child’s costume catching on fire! To be even safer, consider replacing candles with battery-operated LEDs.
    • If you have a pet (especially a dog), consider putting them in a back room so they can’t get out or scare children.
    • If you live in an apartment: Hang a sign or decorations on your door so people know you’re participating.
  2. 2
    Keep the candy by the door for convenience. Pour all of your candy into a large bowl or container and keep it close to the door so you don’t have to keep running back and forth. If it doesn’t all fit into the container, top it off throughout the night so you don’t accidentally run out if a big group arrives.
    • If you know someone in the neighborhood, ask them how busy Halloween night is so you’ll have an idea of how much candy to have on hand.
    • It’s a good idea to offer a variety of candy, including allergen-free options and candies that are safe for small children. [12]
    • Also, consider adding non-edible treats that are fun for kids, like spider rings, bubbles, and bouncy balls.
    • If you want to participate but you’d rather not answer the door all night (or if you won’t be home), consider putting out a bowl of candy with a sign that says “Take one, please!”
  3. 3
    Open the door and hand out candy when you hear a knock. After you open the door, wait for the kids to say, “Trick or treat!” Then, offer candy to each child in the group. You can either put the candy in their bags or let them choose it from your container.
    • Chat with the kids about their costumes. For instance, you might ask what they’re dressed up as, or you might pretend to be frightened by a “scary” costume.
    • If the parents are accompanying the children, greet them or give them a wave, as well.
    • Young, shy, or nonverbal children might not say “Trick or treat” or answer questions about their costumes. That’s okay—don’t try to force them. Just smile and hand out the candy anyway.
  4. 4
    Plan entertainment for downtime between trick-or-treaters. Some neighborhoods have steady groups of trick-or-treaters all night, but in many places, it’s a little more sporadic. Keep yourself occupied with your favorite Halloween movie, curl up with a spooky novel, or make a playlist of monster-approved tunes to keep yourself in the Halloween spirit while you wait for the next group.
    • If the weather is nice, you could even sit on the porch and watch the kids trick-or-treating—it’s a fun way to get involved in the neighborhood.
  5. 5
    Turn off your lights if you run out of candy. Once your candy stash runs out or you’re ready for bed, flip off the lights. That should signal to most kids that you’re not participating in trick-or-treating anymore. [13]
    • You might still get a stray knock throughout the night, but don’t feel obligated to answer the door once your light is off.
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Section 3 of 4:

Staying Safe While Trick-or-Treating

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  1. Trick-or-treating by yourself isn’t as much fun—and it’s not safe, either. If you can, try trick-or-treating in groups of 2–4 kids. If you’re under age 12, it's safest to go with an adult, too. [14]
    • If you go without a grownup, plan your route ahead of time so they’ll know exactly where you’re going (and when you’ll be back). [15]
    • If you’re trick-or-treating in a group of 4 or more people, pair up with a buddy in case you get separated from your main group.
    • Set up a designated meeting place in case anyone gets separated from your group. Bring cell phones if you have them, too!
    • You can even coordinate your costumes with your friends. Try going as the Three Musketeers, the Avengers, M&M’s, or characters from a TV show, book, or movie, like Harry Potter or Winnie the Pooh.
  2. When you’re deciding what to dress up as, choose a costume that fits well and doesn’t drag on the ground, which could be a tripping hazard. Avoid wearing masks, as well, which can make it hard to see—go with non-toxic face paint instead! [16]
    • Wear comfortable shoes—you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
    • Choose a flame-resistant, brightly-colored costume for safety.
    • Avoid sharp accessories like swords or spikes.
    • Check the weather before you leave and make any costume adjustments necessary to keep you comfortable. For instance, you might add a long-sleeve shirt under your costume if it’s cool or replace sweatpants with leggings if it’s warm.
  3. Even if you’re wearing a brightly-colored costume, consider adding strips of reflective tape to ensure drivers can see you as they approach. You might also wear glow sticks or carry a flashlight—be sure to put in fresh batteries before you head out! [17]
    • Flashlights can be especially helpful since they’ll help you see where you’re walking.
    • Add reflective tape to your candy bags for extra visibility! [18]
  4. If you trick-or-treat in your neighborhood (or one where you spend a lot of time), you’ll be less likely to get lost and can easily head home as soon as you get tired. You’ll also be asking for candy from neighbors who know you, so they’ll be more likely to give you an extra candy or two!
    • To save time and avoid getting lost, plan out your route beforehand. You can even walk the neighborhood a few times in the days before Halloween to ensure you know where you’re going.
    • If you're trick-or-treating at a friend's house in a neighborhood you're not familiar with, make sure they and/or their parents know the area well.
  5. Even though you might be excited to get to the next house as fast you can, take it slow. It’s hard to see in the dark, and tripping and skinning a knee will bring your night to a fast end. [19]
    • Walk on sidewalks, driveways, and walkways. Avoid cuttings through people’s yards, since you might trip over something you can’t see.
  6. 6
    Watch for cars and follow basic street safety. Look both ways when you cross the street, and only cross at corners or crosswalks. Whenever possible, cross the street in groups, and never dart out in front of cars or walk between parked cars. When you do cross, watch for cars—and don’t assume they’ll stop. [20]
    • Don’t text or look at your cell phone while you’re walking. You could trip, run into someone (or something), or accidentally walk into the road. [21]
    • Stay on sidewalks and only walk on well-lit streets. If there isn’t a sidewalk, walk on the edge of the road on the side where you’re facing traffic. That way, you’ll see when a car is approaching so you can get out of the way. [22]
  7. 7
    Never go into a stranger's home. Stay safe by always remaining outside and in view of the street or other neighbors' homes. Never go inside a stranger's house or anywhere in their yard where you aren't visible from the street. Even if they say, "The candy is inside the house!" or, "There’s a haunted house in my backyard, just around this fence! Come check it out!" just say, "No thank you," and walk away. [23]
    • Don’t get into a stranger’s car, either. [24]
  8. Save your appetite and haul your loot home before you dig in. Don’t eat any candy that’s been removed from its original wrapper or that has been opened, and don’t eat homemade treats or anything with a label you don’t recognize. [25]
    • If you don't recognize a certain candy, or if it looks suspicious to you, throw it out!
    • If you have a food allergy, have a grownup go through your candy to be sure it’s all safe.
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Section 4 of 4:

FAQs

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  1. 1
    How old is too old for trick-or-treating? Some areas do have restrictions that discourage older kids from trick or treating—the age limit can vary. If there’s not an age limit where you live, trick-or-treating is usually fine until you’re about 12 or 13. [26]
    • Even if you’re older than that, most people won’t mind as long as you’re respectful, friendly, and wrap it up by around 9:00. Plus, older kids trick-or-treat with their younger siblings all the time!
  2. 2
    Why do we say “trick or treat”? Although Halloween’s roots go back 2,000 years or more, the phrase “trick or treat” is more recent—it first appeared in Canadian newspapers in the 1920s. The practice grew widespread through the late 1920s and has steadily become more popular ever since. [27]
    • The “trick” part of Halloween is based on a tradition called “guising” from Scotland and Ireland, where children would dress up in costume and sing a song, tell a joke, or perform a trick before receiving a treat. [28]
  3. 3
    How can I prepare young children for trick-or-treating? Practice ahead of time to get ready. Small children love to pretend that they’re trick or treating, and it can be a great way to help them get ready for the real thing! You can also read books, watch videos (like this one from Ms. Rachel ), and sing songs about Halloween (like “ Knock Knock Trick or Treat ” from Simple Songs). [29]
    • Talk to them ahead of time about how Halloween is spooky pretend fun—the costumes and
    • With small children, it’s usually better to trick-or-treat early (like a little before sunset). Plan a short route since they might get tired or overstimulated easily.
  4. 4
    What if someone gives me a trick? Most people don’t actually give tricks on Halloween. The phrase “trick or treat” really means, “Give me a treat or I’ll give you a trick.” Some people do play Halloween pranks, but it’s not super common, especially when you’re trick-or-treating.
    • If someone does play a Halloween trick on you, either laugh it off or just walk away. But if the trick seems especially mean-spirited, tell a grownup.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    I can't afford a costume and I can't make one. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    You could be a character from a TV show that wears regular clothes, or you could do the old cut-holes-in-a-sheet and go as a ghost.
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  • Question
    Is it normal to trick-or-treating at the age of 12?
    Community Answer
    It's not uncommon to go trick-or-treating when you're 12, and most kids take advantage of this tradition as long as possible. If you're tall for your age, go with younger kids in a group so you don't look out of place
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  • Question
    Does it matter what I am dressed as?
    Potatoestosee
    Community Answer
    Goodness, no! Just make sure that your costume isn't obscene or sexual, and you're ready to go!
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      • If your neighborhood doesn't have a lot of people who participate in trick-or-treating, shopping malls and stores often have candy on hand to give to trick-or-treaters! Just head to the register or front desk, where they'll usually have a big bowl of candy.
      • If possible, put a little extra effort into making your costume super special. Sometimes people will give extra "points" for this, and you may get an extra candy or two. This also goes for having good manners!
      • If you're planning on spending a long time trick or treating, make sure to bring some water and a small snack to stay hydrated and keep your energy up!
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-city-life/2023/10/halloween-in-seattle-rules-trick-or-treat
      2. ↑ https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/Red-Cross-Offers-Tips-For-Safe-Halloween-Fun.html
      3. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/trick-or-treat-etiquette-8733945
      4. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/trick-or-treat-etiquette-8733945
      5. ↑ https://www.mannersmentor.com/12-months-of-holidays/trick-or-treat-manners-for-kids-and-grown-ups
      6. ↑ https://www.mannersmentor.com/12-months-of-holidays/trick-or-treat-manners-for-kids-and-grown-ups
      7. ↑ https://www.mannersmentor.com/12-months-of-holidays/trick-or-treat-manners-for-kids-and-grown-ups
      8. ↑ https://www.mannersmentor.com/12-months-of-holidays/trick-or-treat-manners-for-kids-and-grown-ups
      9. ↑ https://www.apartmentguide.com/blog/trick-treating-apartment-building/
      1. ↑ https://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-city-life/2023/10/halloween-in-seattle-rules-trick-or-treat
      2. ↑ https://www.libertyville.com/DocumentCenter/View/21805/Trick-or-Treat-2021-Guidelines
      3. ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx
      4. ↑ https://www.libertyville.com/DocumentCenter/View/21805/Trick-or-Treat-2021-Guidelines
      5. ↑ https://www.safekids.org/tip/halloween-safety-tips
      6. ↑ https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/Red-Cross-Offers-Tips-For-Safe-Halloween-Fun.html
      7. ↑ https://www.rd.com/advice/parenting/7-trick-or-treating-safety-tips/
      8. ↑ https://www.safekids.org/tip/halloween-safety-tips
      9. ↑ https://www.safekids.org/tip/halloween-safety-tips
      10. ↑ https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/Red-Cross-Offers-Tips-For-Safe-Halloween-Fun.html
      11. ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx
      12. ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx
      13. ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx
      14. ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx
      15. ↑ https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/autumn-safety/halloween
      16. ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx
      17. ↑ https://www.npr.org/2023/10/30/1209089947/halloween-bans-on-teens-trick-or-treat-say-it-isnt-so
      18. ↑ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-history-of-trick-or-treating-goes-back-centuries-79408373/
      19. ↑ https://www.history.com/articles/halloween-trick-or-treating-origins
      20. ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to go trick or treating, choose a fun costume and head out at around 6:30pm on Halloween night with a plastic pumpkin or pillowcase to collect candy with. Go up to a house that’s decorated or that has all the lights on and knock on the door. When someone answers, smile and say “Trick or treat!” When the person offers you the candy bowl, only take one piece of candy unless they encourage you to take more. Then, smile and say “Thank you!” before heading to the next house. Keep reading for tips on staying safe while trick or treating!

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