Where did all the trick or treaters go?

If you’ve looked around the past few years, you may have seen less kids roaming around in costumes, or maybe you haven’t had as many trick or treaters come to your house as they used to. This is a common observation people have made all around the country, according to The Atlantic. Kids are still trick or treating, just in different ways than were common years ago.

For one, finding a prime trick or treating spot can be hard these days. Not all houses participate, and if only half of a street or subdivision shows their participation, parents or kids may be discouraged from even bothering to go there for candy. More people may tend to flock to streets that are elaborately decked out for Halloween and where most of the houses are obviously participating.

Alternatives to traditional trick or treating have also become more popular such as “trunk or treat.” Many churches host trunk or treats because it is supposed to be a safer alternative to regular trick or treating. It’s in a smaller, more centralized location, and people there are usually familiar since they belong to the same church or community. These events aren’t always held on Halloween night; they may be on weekends, which would be more convenient for parents.

Businesses also host their own Halloween alternatives. Growing up in Knoxville, going to BOO! At the Zoo at the Knoxville Zoo was popular because it is open for several weekends leading up to Halloween, meaning that parents can take their kids early instead of dealing with the hassle and traffic on Halloween night.

One of the more negative reasons as to why kids may be doing less traditional trick or treating on Halloween is because of local laws putting restrictions on the holiday festivities. Around the country, some towns dictate that trick or treating be moved to a different night all together if Halloween falls on a weekday or a Sunday. Some places have designated trick or treating hours or even age restrictions that prevent teenagers from participate, according to The Atlantic article. Halloween should be a time for kids and teenagers to enjoy their youth and childhood without local lawmakers putting unnecessary restrictions on them.

If less silly rules were set and more people participated in the festivities, maybe there would be an increase in traditional trick or treating around the country.