When Did You Start Taking Your Child Trick or Treating?

Updated on July 26, 2008
A.H. asks from Bowling Green, KY
24 answers

My daughter is 16 months old and my husband and I are trying to decide if we should take her trick or treating. We were just thinking of maybe taking her to 4 or 5 of our neighborhood houses. However, of course she is not really old enough to eat much of the candy...so, I am a little concerned if our neighbors may be offended at giving away candy to a young toddler. We don't really know our neighbors that well...just by friendly waves whenever we see each other out in our yards. We just want her to have a fun little outing, but I'm not sure what the 'norm' for trick or treating is.

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B.J.

answers from Chattanooga on

Last Halloween my son was 14 mnts old. I took him to a few relatives who knew we were coming and they had him treats that were more appropriate,

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N.T.

answers from Chattanooga on

Well I would suggest going to Hamilton Place Mall to trick-or-treat. I have taken my kids there every year. My son is about 19 months, and my daughter is 4. The mall works out really well, it's well light, most stores give out candy, and abouve all...IT'S SAFE! it usually goes from about 6-9 pm. As far as the candy goes....take it to work, people might need a sugar rush. Hope this helps, and Happy Halloween!

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B.F.

answers from Johnson City on

How about collecting change for UNICEF or other charity?

We always took our little ones around before they could have candy and no one seemed to mind, even the people we didn't know. They are so cute, How could anyone mind?

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M.T.

answers from Honolulu on

A.,
I am having the same problem. My little girl is 14 months.
I don't know many of my neighbors and the way I will pick is by who I have waved at periodically. My next door neighbors refuse to put up their hand to wave nor will they speak when spoken to so obviously I WILL NOT go there. My oldest son bought her the cutest little chicken outfit that we call her "ming-ming" outfit from the wonder pets. We are going to take her a few places just so she can experience the outing and my husband didn't have children before me so we are not only doing this for Olivia but for her dad also. New experience for them both.
I think that you should take her out for a while and if nothing else, at least to a couple of houses. AND TAKE A CAMERA WITH YOU!
Good luck.
Oh... about the candy.... don't worry about it. I am sure someone in your house will eat it. ENJOY!

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J.B.

answers from Knoxville on

Hi A.,
My experience is that people who hand out candy really do it for the littler children than the older ones. So if there is any older people in your neighborhood that will be handing out candy, I'm sure they would love to see your daughter all dressed up. You could always ask for plain chocolate, or just drop by and say hi.
Have a good holiday.
Jenn

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M.B.

answers from Knoxville on

I couldnt imagine anyone in your neighborhood being offended at giving away candy on holloween, even to a toddler... they would be ridiculous in my opinion and I would simply avoind their home.

And your daughter is certainly not too young to participate, certainly not any more than she would be to participate at christmas. Its the perfect time for them to learn the fun of the tradition. And true, you wont be creating a memory for her, just a fun-filled experience. The memories will be for you.

My oldest had her first trick-or-treat at 9 months old... we dressed her up as a bumble bee.

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B.S.

answers from Clarksville on

im a mother of a 13 year old and a 3 year old and i have 4 nieces ages 14 16 18 and 9.i see no harm in taking your daughter trick or treating to a few or more houses my son was 10 months old when he first went i gave most the candy to other siblings just kept a few suckers for my son for a little treat

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T.B.

answers from Nashville on

We took our daughter out at that age to a few neighbors and grandmas house. Most the neighbors oohhed and aahhed at how cute she was and I think they get a kick out of seeing the little ones dressed up. Most asked if we wanted to have candy and I told most no, (although I did have a few offer for us and I accepted those:) I don't think there is anything wrong with you taking her out.

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J.M.

answers from Nashville on

A.,
hey momma! Take your beautiful little girl trick or treating!!!!!!!!!!!! That's what Halloween is. No you proubly don't want to drag her all over the neighborhood, but letting her go up to doors looking cute as she can and having people go ga-ga over her is what it's about! When my son was 3 months old I took him out with my other kids. He wore his little superman bunting and he did not get candy! we just had fun showing him off. The very next year when we took him, of course he was 13 months now, he loved walking up to the door & having people put candy in his sack. And believe it or not most people asked me if he could have certain things. Basically he got a bag of suckers,lollipops,& peanut butter cups. And yes most of it was eaten by you know who- Mommy & daddy!!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy this time with your baby, before you know it she will be to old to Trick or Treat!!!!!!!!!Don't worry about what other people think, you are her MOMMY!!!!!!!!!!!:) J.

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M.E.

answers from Clarksville on

We carried our boys every year!! The cutest part of halloween are the litle ones! Most have suckers or cookies or soft chocalates that even little ones can suck. Toddlers have such a high entertainment value and it's a great excuse to meet those new neighbors you hardly know! Have fun be safe!

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S.H.

answers from Knoxville on

We have taken our youngest out for the last two years. Once at 7 months and again at 19 months old. Obviously he was along for the ride the first year, but the fact that his brother was Darth Vader and he was a 7 month old Yoda cracked everyone up! Last year they were both Army men in recognition of our "adopted son" who was in Iraq at the time. The neighbors got a kick out of them again, especially the youngest and his attemt at saying "trick or treat".
My point here is that I have always had positive experiences with my neighbors and children.
If you don't feel comfortable taking her out in the outdoors, check for a local place that does indoor trick or treating, in my town both shopping malls do it. There is also a event at the zoo each year that offers a trail of goodies along the animal paths, and a police sponsered event in a local park. Most of these events offer "toddler treats" for the younger ones. Hope this helps!

S.

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A.L.

answers from Chattanooga on

I have took my daughter every year. when she was 2 took her around the neighbor hood and they loved seeing her dressed up. For most it isn't the "offensive" of giving candy it is the sight of the little ones dressed up. I know that for the older "neighbors" that is what they like most.
If you are wanting to take her take her.

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S.M.

answers from Nashville on

My son went trick or treating for his first time at 16 months old. He loved it. I had just moved to our neighborhood the year before, and I know that our neighbors really enjoyed meeting him for the first time. I don't think people are as stingy with the candy giving as we think they are. Your little girl will enjoy getting some candy and the neighbors will enjoy seeing her dressed up in costume and having a ball. We went a little early so that it wasn't as cold, and we only took him to six houses. He couldn't even eat all the candy he got, but we certainly enjoyed some of it. Just enjoy the moment and takes lots of pics. Have a Happy Halloween.

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T.C.

answers from Johnson City on

i took both of mine about the time they started walkin and every one was so happy to see the little ones dressed up and looked thru what they had for candy that the lil ones could eat

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D.M.

answers from Johnson City on

I took my daughter out when she was one and the people in the neighborhood loved to she her dressed up. Most people would go through their candy and find a plain chocolate bar or a sucker to give her. Just have fun and make sure she does too.

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J.S.

answers from Chattanooga on

Hi A.,

I chose not to take my little one trick or treating at that age b/c he could not eat the candy...but on the flip side, I was not offended when little ones came to our door. I thought they were adorable! I had no problem with other little ones trick or treating....hope that helps! My son is 2.5 yr now and he will go for the first time this year. I think he is ready now.

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D.P.

answers from Chattanooga on

My daughter is 15 months old, or will be by Halloween and We are going to take her to the Mall for trick or treating then go home. I think that will be fun for her. I think it's ok, the little ones will enjoy it as well as the older kids. I know I've had kids come to my door before they were even on solid food and I didn't feel bad about giving them a little candy for the parents or the other siblings. I dressed Alyssa up last year and took her to some neighbors just for them to see but told them I didn't want any candy. If you want to take part but feel bad about taking candy for yourself just do that. Enjoy Halloween! It only comes once a year :)

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L.L.

answers from Nashville on

I let me children start trick or treating the year they could walk so in my opinion yes, you can take her. As for your neighbors, I LOVE to see the little bitty ones in their costumes and I always ask the parent if they can eat a plain candy bar or a sucker. Most people I would think will think about what she can eat and choose something special for her.

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N.D.

answers from Jackson on

I would take her, if u think she would enjoy it. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. Trick or treating is for the little one's. So if u want to go and you think she'd have a good time, by all means go! And u don't have to stay in your neighborhood you could venture out and find another area if that would make you more comfortable. But most of all have fun! Because in no time she will be all grown up.

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C.

answers from Nashville on

You don't really even have to take her trick or treating...you could just put her in stroller and walk the neighbor along with other kids and families, just so she could see all the other kids, the costumes, and excitement. I have seen lots of people however in the past bring their young toddlers to the doors to trick or treat. She doesn't even have to eat any of the candy...she probably will notice missing anything in the candy. Have fun !!!!!!!!!!!

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M.M.

answers from Johnson City on

Last Halloween my daughter was 11 months and we took her trick or treating. It was alot of fun. She liked to pick up the candy and put it in her bucket. I think 16 months old is definately old enough to go. Everyone loved seeing her all dressed up.

M.

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T.B.

answers from Johnson City on

Hi A., If you want to take her out in her costume for a outing, Try checking with your local libary, they have halloween partys sometimes or the malls have costume contest, and give candy away and that way she could see other kids dressed up and have fun watching everything.Try checking out you local paper, Alot of churches do get togethers.Good Luck I hope i helped. Have Fun T.

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P.D.

answers from Clarksville on

when my children were that age i took them to family members and to a few of my closest friends.theres nothing wrong with taking your child trick or treating no matter what the age its all about how you feel about it and where to take her.but i would insist that if you take her anywhere besides family members to have the candy scanned at your local hospital.where i lived when my children were growing up in KY. the hospital there would x-ray everyones candy that was brought into them to make sure it was safe.
so,happy trick or treating!

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