Too Old to Trick or Treat

In my city, Halloween trick-or-treating is limited to kids twelve and younger. Really, it's a city code. I checked it out after my twins protested when I denied their Halloween plans to trick or treat with friends. Sec. 23-3. Prohibited trick or treat activities.: If any person over the age of twelve (12) years shall engage in the activity commonly known as "trick or treat" or any other activity of similar character or nature under any name whatsoever, he shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.

Whether I agree with that age limit or not, it is the law in our city, so we're going to abide by it. Everyone, eventually, has to give up trick or treating. It can be a bittersweet moment, another sign of kids growing up. So, what do you do when your twins or multiples are too old to trick or treat?

One of the benefits of being a multiple is that you're not alone. Misery loves company. Encourage them to make plans with their also-too-old peers. Plan a Halloween party as a fun alternative. Or, find ways for them to enjoy the other side of trick or treating. Maybe they'd enjoy being the one to distribute candy. They can accompany younger siblings, neighbors or friends on their trick or treat rounds. Or, put ambitious multiples to work designing and decorating a spooky scene to greet neighborhood trick or treaters. Rent an age-appropriate scary movie. About.com's Guide to Tweens provides this list of Family Friendly Halloween Movies.

All good things do come to an end, including the fun of Halloween trick or treating. But it can still be a enjoyable holiday for older twins and multiples. With a little bit of planning -- and an extra stash of candy set aside for them -- the transition will be less "tricky."