What Are the Origins of Trick or Treating?

Almost every kid in the U.S. grows up trick or treating, but do you know where this tradition comes from? It’s a mysterious story.

Many Halloween traditions have spooky and fascinating histories, and trick or treating is no exception. 

Before you take your kids out trick or treating this year, tell them a little about the history of the cultural tradition they’re partaking in. Keep reading, and we’ll tell you all about the murky origin story of trick or treating. 

What Is Trick or Treating?

Trick or treating is a North American tradition where children go door to door and ask for candy, aka trick or treat in costume. Trick or treating has existed in some form since the early 1900s in North America.

Popular children’s Halloween costumes historically include spooky creatures like mummies, ghosts, and skeletons.

More recently, kids have begun dressing up as characters from their favorite books or television shows, as well as real-life celebrities.

In suburban neighborhoods, most families either leave out a bowl of candy for trick or treaters or keep some inside and hand it out when their doorbell is rung. 

Halloween Origins: Trick or Treat

Our modern conception of Halloween comes from a Celtic festival called Samhain. This festival predates Christianity, and many pagan cultures celebrated a similar holiday. 

The Celts believed that the dead could rise and walk among us during Samhain. During Samhain, the Celts would light bonfires and offer sacrifices to the dead. 

During some of these celebrations, Celts would dress up in costumes made of animal skins to scare away evil spirits. Some households would leave out offerings of food for spirits as well. 

In the Middle Ages, people in Western Europe began dressing up as demons or ghosts and performing in exchange for food. This tradition was called “mumming,” and is thought to be another precursor to trick or treating.

Trick or Treating in American Pop Culture

No one is exactly sure how trick or treating originated in its current form. We do know that the earliest recorded case of trick or treating in North America happened in 1911 in Ontario, Canada. 

By the 1920s, trick or treating was widely practiced in the United States and Canada. 

By 1951, trick or treating was established enough to be included in a Peanuts comic strip. Disney released a cartoon about trick or treating the following year, featuring the beloved character Daffy Duck.

Since then, trick or treating has been the subject of countless children’s movies, as well as horror movies for adults and teenagers. 

Trick or Treat Safely With Your Family

No matter what traditions you follow while trick or treating, it is important to have fun and keep your family safe. Never let your young children trick or treat unattended. 

Many cultures have their own unique Halloween traditions! Find out more about where your ancestors’ traditions came from.

For more fun facts and life hacks, check out the rest of our blog!