With students at CKHS preparing for this Halloween season, many are wondering if high school is too old to be participating in some popular Halloween traditions. 

A few common Halloween traditions include trick or treating, dressing up in costumes, attending dances or parties, and enjoying themed decorations and desserts. 

Some of these things, especially dressing up in costumes and trick or treating, are more often associated with the social expectation that only young kids should participate. 

“There’s a notion that as you age… the less fun it gets or like the older you are you shouldn’t go. I don’t think that’s true,” student Miki Waggoner said. “I disagree with that because I think Halloween is fun for any part of your life.” 

In 2015, blog writer Walk Hickey wrote an article about when people should stop trick or treating. He worked with SurveyMonkey Audience to conduct a national poll on the subject. About 57 percent of respondents said that children should stop trick or treating between the ages of 12 and 15. 

This almost directly correlated with when those respondents themselves stopped trick or treating during their lives, with the majority of respondents voting that they stopped trick or treating between the ages of 12 and 14. 

This calendar year, Halloween falls on a Monday. This conflicts with many kids’ schedules because they have to wake up early to go to school the next day, and oftentimes have homework assigned to work on that night. 

Aiden Reeder, a student at CKHS, has no plans to dress up in a costume or go trick or treating this year.

“I stopped having time [in] high school,” they said. “That’s a big factor, and I just don’t have the time to.”

Reeder plans to participate in Halloween in other ways, such as hanging out with friends and watching spooky movies. 

Children who go trick or treating usually go with a parent, sibling, or guardian to make sure they’re safe. People in high school are typically old enough to go out by themselves, or with a group of friends. While this freedom can make the experience fun, it can also lead to reckless behavior as the night goes on. 

“In certain settings, I think if you’re out with friends and you’re just being responsible then it’s perfectly appropriate,” Reeder said. 

Nevada Story, a student at CKHS, hopes to go out trick or treating with a group of her friends this Halloween. 

“I don’t think [high schoolers] going trick or treating, especially with a group of friends, make them too old,” Story said. “But I do think it should be more centered around the kids.” 

Many adults and teens celebrate Halloween without going out or wearing a costume at all. For students who regularly enjoy all aspects of Halloween, like Gypsy Kish, the October season comes with a sense of nostalgia. 

“It’s really fun. All of the movies and shows that are about Halloween… I love them and I grew up on them.” She said.

 Students at CKHS are excited for the fun activities that come with Halloween, even if they no longer participate in every tradition.