Is 2 years old too young for trick-or-treating?

[Anonymous]

My son is just over 2 years old, and I wonder if he's too young for trick-or-treating. He has a few Halloween parties he'll be going to, so we got him a costume. But is 2 too young for the candy element that goes along with trick-or-treating? He's had sugary treats (tried cake and icecream, for example) at a few birthday parties he's been to, and I admit that I've bought organic animal crackers on occasion for snacks (though I am really going to stop doing this because I don't want it to become a habit to have sugary snacks in the house). I think trick-or-treating could be fun with him, and I wouldn't let him eat a lot of the candy afterwards, of course (a few pieces maybe and then send the rest into work with my husband). What's the right age that it's okay to take a child trick-or-treating?

[Anonymous]

My DD had a blast trick or treating at 2... stayed out about 30 minutes, got some candy ate one piece and didn't notice when it dissapeard. It was a fun night for the entire family. May depend on your neighborhood though. Ours starts around 6:30 so we were still home and in bed regular time.

Another thing you can do is dress up DS and have him help hand out candy. Take your cues from him and have fun.

[Anonymous]

Yeah why not! If it's not terribly cold and you're only out for a half-hour or so, it should be fun for him!

[Anonymous]

We took our son to a handful of houses in the neighborhood at 2. He definitely had fun. Was pretty good at saying "trick or treat" and thank you, but also a little shy. The cutest part was that he wanted to hold on to the candy, rather than put it in his bag. So when he would pick up a new piece, he'd first drop the candy he was holding, from the previous house, into the bowl, and then take a new one.

[Anonymous]

Our 2 yo has been trick or treating for 2 years. Mom and Dad enjoy the fruits of her labor.

[Anonymous]

We took DD out last year at 1.5 and she had a blast. I ate all her candy (which was about 10 peices because we only hit about 5 houses). I am much more liberal with treats and didn't mind her eating a piece or two of candy, but I just like candy and pretty much stole candy from my baby. Thankfully, one of our neighbors handed out snack packs of pretzels, so she was excited about that and I think I let her have a piece of plain chocolate. The candy was secondary to the excitement of dressing up and walking around with a "purse" knocking on doors collecting whatever (it might a well have been bottle caps and dried beans).

I suggest getting rid of the candy by the next day. "Halloween is over, sweetie. That was it for the candy. We'll do it again next year! Wasn't that fun?!"

[Anonymous]

He's fine. He will like to put things into his bag. He will not notice if you throw half or all of iit out. Don't over think trick or treating. Go early.

Kids are going to have the sweet tooth they have. My son doesn't have one. I leave the candy out all year, and I'm about to pitch last year's candy. If your child has one, you may want to regulate what's around. But please don't be completely neurotic.

[Anonymous]

Really depends on the kid. Some kids find it terrifying. Go just as dusk if you can. Aim for one or two houses if he's game. I wouldn't go past 30 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We took DD out last year at 1.5 and she had a blast. I ate all her candy (which was about 10 peices because we only hit about 5 houses). I am much more liberal with treats and didn't mind her eating a piece or two of candy, but I just like candy and pretty much stole candy from my baby. Thankfully, one of our neighbors handed out snack packs of pretzels, so she was excited about that and I think I let her have a piece of plain chocolate. The candy was secondary to the excitement of dressing up and walking around with a "purse" knocking on doors collecting whatever (it might a well have been bottle caps and dried beans).

I suggest getting rid of the candy by the next day. "Halloween is over, sweetie. That was it for the candy. We'll do it again next year! Wasn't that fun?!"

I had to double check when this was posted since I could have written. DD was also 1.5 and LOVED trick or treating. She remembers it from last year and is already talking about dressing up. DH and I snacked on a few pieces of her loot but the next day she had no recollection of the candy part of the event.

Follow his lead. If he's nervous or shy, don't do it. Plan on only 2 or 3 houses where he knows the neighbors. Go out as soon as things get going in your neighborhood and be back home quickly.

[Anonymous]

Last year, my 2 yo had a blast being in costume with all the neighborhood kids and knocking on doors. Like you, I'm pretty neurotic / vigilant about suga at home, and since she'd never really gorged on packaged crisp, she didn't mind or notice when I took the candy to work the next day. I'd do it, and if you're miserable, go back home...no real risk.

[Anonymous]

I think it is tacky to take a child trick-or-treating when it can't even eat the candy. We all know it is for the parent. Go buy your own candy.

[Anonymous]

Go for it, OP! Even just going to a few houses will be fun for your child. We took our daughter when she was almost 2, along with another 2-year-old, and they weren't 100% sure what the heck was going in but they had a fun time!

[Anonymous]

*going ON, not going in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it is tacky to take a child trick-or-treating when it can't even eat the candy. We all know it is for the parent. Go buy your own candy.

Is is for the fun and experience - not the candy! I took my oldest trick or treating around 20 months for about thirty minutes, he had a blast. My youngest, who will be 1.5 years old, will definitely go this year.

[Anonymous]

He is young, but won't he look cute in his costume? Halloween is for the parents at this point.