Okay, so Halloween is on a schoolnight, so I remember a couple years ago that I wanted to get out early, but no one was ready. What is the appropriate time to start heading out with the kids? I know I'll have my lights on early (before sundown), but I just like to be ready. What do people think?
I had a phenomenal response to my question, so thank you all. We ended up not actually being able to go out until almost 6:30p, because I had to take my son to the doctor at the last minute, and we got stuck in traffic on the way home.
Apparently, in our neighborhood, we were late trick-or-treaters, because some of the people said that things were "winding down." (We live on a main street and don't get any trick-or-treaters aside from a handful of teens, so we don't know the trends.) Next year, we will try to go out earlier, because the kids got tired, and their bedtime was later than normal.
In Chicago, we used to go around 4:00, but I've definitely noticed it's later here - more like 6:30 or 7.
If the weather is bad I'm picking my daughter up from school at around 3:45 and heading straight to the mall.
If the weather is good we'll come home and head out around 5pm if other's are.
I'd say around 6pm, or as soon as it gets somewhat dark.
My work is having an event from 3-5pm and I personally think 6pm is ideal for going house to house, however, I think some start as early as 5pm. I usually don't get home from work until 4:30-5pm.
We typically expect little ones around 6 and head out ourselves around 6:30.
We usually start around 6 pm. That way we can eat dinner first.
I think people are usually home by 5:30 or 6:00. If they aren't, just go to next house :) have fun!
I would say about 5:00 would be a good start time but there will still be the people who wont be home because they work they will wait for their lights until their ready so you should be fine, but you dont want to be out all night either. Alot of towns have a certain time they start trick-r-treating, you should check that out normally they put ours in the newspaper.
I would say after dinner, 6:00 or so, would be ok. Any earlier and you might get people not home or not ready. We will probably eat dinner a little after 5, then get ready and head out shortly after 6.
S.
mom of 3 and daycare provider
I've always felt that it should definately not be before 6 pm. I figure people need time to get home from work, eat a quick dinner and get the kids ready. We try and go out between 6 and 6:30, and I have a 4 1/2 and 2 1/2 year old. This year will be nice because we have the late daylight savings, so it won't be so dark when we head out!
We go out around 6:00pm for trick or treating!!
Happy Halloween!!
