Every Halloween, as the streets fill with kids in costumes, another group joins the mix; teenagers. But as they knock on doors and fill their bags with candy, a question arises: should teens still be trick-or-treating? Some see it as harmless fun, while others think it’s a tradition meant for younger kids. So, is it time for teens to trade in their costumes for something more “grown-up,” or should they keep embracing the spooky spirit?

Many people think it should be acceptable for teenagers to continue to trick-or-treat even though they may not be the youngest people out there.

“I think teenagers should be allowed to go trick-or-treating because it’s just fun and it keeps them from doing bad things like getting drunk at parties and making bad decisions,” Kennedy Hicks (10) said.

Many people agree with Hicks, making similar statements and expressing how teenagers could have chosen to do other things like going to parties and making bad choices, instead of just wanting to be a kid.

“You get to be decked out in an outfit and go have fun, and even though you may be older than a kid, it’s still a holiday and there’s no rules to it,” Sage Kennedy (10) said.

In contrast, some people think teenagers should stay home, rather than go out after dark. Lauren Gonzales of The Burlingame B student newspaper agrees. “Teens have already had their fun. It’s been a great few years, but now it’s time to move along,” Gonzales said. “You can probably afford to buy your own candy, but a kid’s ruined trick-or-treating experience isn’t so easily remedied.”

In all, the teenagers themselves seem to be the ones agreeing that you’re never too old to go out and get free candy. After this debate, we asked some people what they are dressing up as if they are going trick-or-treating.

“I’m going as Steve Harvey because I feel like he represents me as a person,” Amina Beye (10) said.

“We are going as Founding Fathers because I want to be fat Ben Franklin,” Ellie Simon (10) said.