kids – Page 3 – Topical Fruit

When Are Kids Too Old to Trick-or-Treat? Here’s What People Think

Is there an expiration date on free candy? A new survey has sparked debate over one of Halloween’s most controversial questions: How old is too old to go trick-or-treating?

According to the poll, 12 years old is the most popular cutoff, with 12% of people saying that’s when kids should hang up their pillowcases. Coming in close behind are ages 13, 14, 15, and 16. A tiny but shockingly stern 5% think 10 is too old, which sounds like the kind of rule made by someone who also yells at clouds.

But here’s the twist: the most popular answer by far wasn’t an age at all.

A full 26% of people said there shouldn’t be an age limit for trick-or-treating at all. So if your 17-year-old cousin shows up in a killer costume, maybe don’t slam the door in his face.

Of course, enthusiasm tends to go down if the costume is just a hoodie and a muttered “I’m a serial killer, they look like everyone else.” Effort matters, people.

And while we’re on the subject of Halloween etiquette, the survey also asked what people plan to do when trick-or-treaters come knocking. Good news: 61% say they’ll be handing out candy like the Halloween heroes they are. Another 21% admit they’ll be pretending not to be home, and 10% say they’re still undecided (possibly waiting to see how many mini Snickers they can eat before the 31st). Then there’s the 2% of cold-hearted ghouls who say they’ll answer the door just to tell kids they’re not giving out candy. Bold move.

Whether you’re team “free candy for all ages” or firmly in the “12 and under only” camp, one thing’s for sure: Halloween continues to stir up strong opinions.

And if you’re a teenager hoping to keep the tradition alive, maybe just skip the hoodie and go all in on something spooky, funny, or clever.

After all, candy tastes better when it’s earned with a little effort.

The World’s Favorite Crayon Color Is…

In the most pressing news your inner child (or actual child) will care about, Crayola just released results from a massive global poll to find the world’s favorite crayon color.

After surveying people in 183 countries, we finally have an answer – and yes, it’s incredibly specific.

Our Favorite Crayon Color? Cerulean

Yup, that soft, sophisticated shade of blue that Meryl Streep’s character famously lectures Anne Hathaway about in The Devil Wears Prada. You might remember the monologue where a simple sweater becomes a masterclass in fashion history. Turns out it’s also a global favorite when it comes to coloring outside the lines.

The top three crayon colors in the world are Cerulean, Robin’s Egg blue, and Wisteria purple.

Each generation’s favorite color?

Crayola also broke it down by age, and the blue obsession crosses generational lines. Boomers are the only generation that didn’t have blue at the top of their list.

Blue has been a top pick for decades

This isn’t the first time blue has dominated the crayon world. In fact, it’s kind of a long-standing monarch. Back in 1993, Crayola polled Americans and blue won then too. Then in a 2000 poll, six different shades of blue made the Top 10. So if you’re wondering why your kid’s coloring books all look like the ocean, now you know.

46% of All Pumpkin-Related Knife Injuries Will Happen This Week

Halloween is already the scariest month of the year – now add the very real possibility of stabbing a knife through your own hand!

Nearly half of all pumpkin-related knife injuries will happen in the coming days. So, if you’re breaking out the carving kit, consider this your official safety PSA.

According to a recent study in The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, the U.S. sees about 2,000 E.R. visits per year related to pumpkin-carving accidents, and they’re pretty much all in the month of October. That number only includes the people who actually go to the hospital – so the total tally of pumpkin-carving injuries is much higher.

84% of pumpkin-related knife injuries happen in October

It makes sense… because who’s carving pumpkins in July? Sure, there are a handful of cooks incorporating pumpkins into meals in other months. (Looking at you, November.) But according to the stats, more than 4 in 5 pumpkin/knife injuries (84%) happen in October.

The majority of those injuries are in the second half of the month… because if you’re carving your pumpkin more than a week out, you’re looking at a pile of orange mush on your porch by the 31st. So yeah, it’s just volume. If you carve a pumpkin this year, chances are you’re doing it this week.

Nearly half (46%) happen in the final week leading up to the big day, with the final three days seeing the most injuries. So if you show up to the E.R. with a hand covered in pumpkin innards and blood this week, you might have company.

Your thumb and index finger are at the highest risk

The study found those two digits are the prime targets. Roughly 60% of carving-related cuts involve one of them – or if you’re a real overachiever, both. Taking a pumpkin-carving knife to the thigh may happen, but it’s rare. 88% of pumpkin-carving cuts are hand injuries.

Kids are the most likely to get hurt

Kids between 10 and 19 make up 32% of pumpkin carving injuries. Another 20% happen to kids under 10. So while it may feel like a safe holiday activity, it can get bloody real quick.

Even grown-ups should probably use those orange safety knives

Adults aren’t immune to those same injuries, which is why many experts suggest ditching real knives altogether. Blades that are too sharp can easily slice through more than just your pumpkin. And knives with a sharp point run the risk of blasting through the whole gourd and straight into your hand on the other side.

Those flimsy orange pumpkin carving tools that come in kids’ kits? They’re designed to be dull enough to not slice through fingers, but strong enough to saw through pumpkin skin. Unless you’re planning some real high-level pumpkin carving, anything more than that is probably overkill.

Young kids should skip the carving altogether

If you’ve got little ones helping out, experts recommend skipping the carving entirely for kids under 10. Let them paint their pumpkins or slap some stickers on instead. Bonus: zero cleanup, and that jack-o-lantern they’re so proud of won’t shrivel up into a pile of goo in two days.

Halloween Candy Odds: What Kids Are Most (and Least) Likely to Get

You send your kid out in a $40 costume with a $3 plastic pumpkin, hoping they return with enough sugar to last through Thanksgiving. But what exactly are they bringing home? Here are their Halloween candy odds.

The stats nerds at the online gambling site The Action Network crunched numbers from DoorDash, Instacart, and other candy sources, and came up with Vegas-style odds on what will be landing in that bucket.

So, when your kid walks through the door with a pillowcase full of sugar, you’ll know the odds of finding what you’re looking for. Here’s what your little monster is most (and least) likely to drag home.

10 Candies with the Highest Odds

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – 67%

Practically a Halloween guarantee. If your kid doesn’t come back with at least one, did they even go out?

Peanut M&M’s – 65%

Solid choice. Somehow feel healthier even though they’re not.

M&M’s – 62%

The peanut-free classic ranks first in most likely to break open and be found loose in the bottom of the bag.

Kit Kat – 60%

Break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar and toss it directly into my face.

Snickers – 58%

When your neighbors go full-size, it’s usually this. Respect.

Sour Patch Kids – 55%

First they’re sour, then they’re gone. Kids trade for these like they’re currency.

Hershey’s Milk Chocolate – 50%

The bar that started it all. Still holding strong.

Milky Way – 45%

Like a Snickers without the crunch. The soft-spoken cousin.

Twix – 33%

Whether you’re Left Twix or Right Twix, you’re still only getting one.

Gummy Bears – 33%

Classic, chewy, and just the second non-chocolate candy on the list.

Tricks in the Treats: The Low-Probability Oddballs

Candy Corn – 23%: You either love it or hate it. There is no in between.
Raisins – 4%: Someone out there still thinks this counts as a treat. It doesn’t.
Toothbrush – 2%: There’s always one house, usually owned by a dentist with a guilt complex.

If you live in Mississippi, your kid has a 46% chance of getting candy corn. But kids in Hawaii can breathe easy, just an 11% chance.

Happy Halloween! May the Reese’s odds be ever in your favor.

“Adultoween” Is the New Holiday Every Parent Wants

Kids might have trick-or-treating, but adults are out here trying to claim Halloween for themselves as well – and honestly, they’ve got a pretty good case.

If you haven’t heard of “Adultoween” yet, here’s what all those grown-ups (especially parents) are getting on board with.

Ferrero (the candy folks) just dropped a new batch of stats showing that adults are fully on board with spooky season, and not just to supervise their kids or sneak one measly Reese’s from their pumpkin buckets.

The company is pushing the concept of “Adultoween” – basically, a night of Halloween celebrations sans kids. And according to their polling results, it’s got some traction.

“Adultoween” is a surprisingly popular idea

Over half of adults – 54%, to be exact – say they wish Halloween included an official night just for grown-ups. No kids. Just costumes, candy, and possibly cocktails.

Here’s a breakdown of the most fun (and petty) takeaways from their Halloween survey.

Halloween is not just for the little goblins.

62% of Americans say the holiday is just as much for adults as it is for kids. And if you’re a parent, you’re even more likely to agree – 71% say adults deserve equal rights to the spooky fun.

Candy taxes are real, and parents are enforcing them.

Two-thirds of parents say they have the “right” to dip into their kid’s leftover candy stash. 58% aren’t even waiting that long – they’ll happily sneak a treat or two during trick-or-treating. It’s called a parenting perk, look it up.

No kids? No problem. Adults are still hoarding candy.

64% of adults say they’ll buy candy in October even if no one’s trick-or-treating at their door. And 71% of parents admit to buying “extra” candy for themselves just in case.

Full-size candy bars reign supreme.

76% of adults say full-size bars are the best kind to steal. But we’re also nostalgic: 67% say they still prefer the same candy they loved as kids, and 72% stick to the classics over newfangled flavors. Why mess with a good thing?

Men take Halloween candy weirdly seriously.

52% of men buy premium candy to make sure their house gets that coveted “good candy” reputation, compared to 41% of women. And 21% of men will absolutely judge you if your candy game is weak. (15% of women admit they will too.)

It’s all about the nostalgia.

For 60% of people, the reason they love Halloween is pure nostalgia, and among parents it jumps to 68%. There’s just something about the smell of plastic masks and the sight of toilet paper on trees that brings us all back.

Is Halloween America’s favorite holiday?

47% of people said Halloween is the holiday they look forward to most. Sorry, Santa.

So should adults get their own official Halloween night? If it means fewer tantrums, more candy, and finally getting to wear a costume that doesn’t involve Disney characters, we say absolutely yes.

Phones Are Ruining Family Conversations… and It’s Not Just the Kids

Trying to have a heart-to-heart with your kid these days is damn-near impossible, since you’re competing with TikTok, Snapchat, and whatever’s trending on YouTube.

A new survey found that kids under 18 are holding a phone 52% of the time their parents are trying to talk to them. That’s right… half your valuable wisdom is probably getting drowned out by memes and cat videos.

And before you roll your eyes at “these kids today,” let’s be real: parents aren’t much better. The same survey says partners are glued to their phones 58% of the time during conversations. So basically, everyone’s ignoring everyone.

But at least we’re ignoring each other together.

Only 74% of parents could say they’d had a real, device-free conversation with their kid in the past week. Which means a quarter of families haven’t gone even seven days without someone scrolling mid-sentence. No wonder 78% of parents are worried about losing face-to-face time with their kids.

Some households are trying to fight back with “no phone zones” during dinner, family outings, or movie night. You know, those rare times when you actually want to see each other’s faces instead of the glow of a screen. But enforcing those rules is easier said than done.

So yes, the internet is winning. But the silver lining? At least when your teen pretends to listen while glued to their phone, they can say they “learned it from watching you!” (Gen X’ers will get that reference, if they’re even listening to me.)

Parents Are DIY-ing Halloween Costumes… Because Apparently We All Have Free Time

October is here, so it’s crunch time for parents who promised to make their kids’ Halloween costumes.

A new survey says 52% of parents are going the DIY route this year, especially in Colorado, Iowa, California, Maryland, and Arkansas. Somewhere out there, a mom is already crying into a pile of felt.

Money is the big motivator. Store-bought costumes are averaging more than $70, while a handmade creation usually runs under $40. That’s a huge deal if you’ve got more than one kid, because nothing says “spooky” like spending $210 on matching polyester jumpsuits… that get worn once… and disintegrate before next Halloween.

But it’s not just about cash.

Parents say homemade costumes feel more creative, unique, and sometimes just… necessary, since the store-bought options are either flimsy, overpriced, or completely sold out.

For some families, it’s even a tradition. (The tradition being: panic-shopping at Michaels on October 29th.)

Then there’s the social media pressure. A whopping 81% of parents say they feel the need to make costumes Instagram-worthy. Idaho parents are the most stressed about it, followed by those in Missouri and Connecticut. Nothing says Halloween spirit like comparing your kid’s glue-gun disaster to a Pinterest mom’s hand-stitched masterpiece.

As for what kids are demanding, Pokémon is still going strong, Taylor Swift costumes are in the mix, and Labubu is unfortunately a thing.

You’ll also see the classics (witches, skeletons, vampires, werewolves) and of course superheroes.

And then there are “unique creations,” which is code for “your kid saw it on YouTube once, and now you’re up at 2 a.m. turning a cardboard box into something unrecognizable.”

So here’s wishing all the crafty parents good luck. May your glue sticks last, your sewing machine not jam, and your child not suddenly decide they actually want to be Elsa… the day before Halloween.

Best Halloween Movies for Kids by Age (From Toddlers to Teens)

Spooky season is officially here.

If you’re planning a family movie night, you’ll want something festive without accidentally giving your toddler nightmares. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best Halloween movies for kids of every age group.

Little kids, ages 2 to 7
At this stage, “scary” means maybe a pumpkin with slightly pointy eyebrows. Classics like “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and Disney’s “The Adventures of Ichabod & Mr. Toad” bring cozy nostalgia with zero trauma. If you’re looking for something newer, “Hotel Transylvania” gives you a monster mash with Adam Sandler’s voice leading the way, while “Monsters, Inc.” proves once and for all that even scary creatures can be lovable.

Big kids, ages 7 to 11
Now we’re talking about kids who actually want a little fright with their fun. Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is the ultimate spooky-but-sweet option, while Disney Channel’s cult favorite “Halloweentown” is peak ‘90s kid magic. “Casper” keeps things ghostly but friendly, “Frankenweenie” lets Burton flex his black-and-white quirkiness, and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” may not be a “Halloween movie,” but between the costumes, the candy, and the aliens, it earns its spot.

Tweens
Middle schoolers live for chaos, and these movies deliver. “Hocus Pocus” is basically required viewing if you want to be allowed into spooky season. “The Addams Family” nails that goth-but-funny energy, while “Goosebumps” (with Jack Black as R.L. Stine) is scarier than it has any right to be. For straight-up silliness, there’s Adam Sandler’s “Hubie Halloween.” And if your tween wants a comedy that also features a truly disastrous party, “Fun Size” is the pick.

Teenagers
The training wheels are officially off. “Beetlejuice” and “Poltergeist” are classics that bring the perfect mix of creepy and campy. “Gremlins” proves that small pets can, in fact, destroy your life. “Ghostbusters” is always a crowd-pleaser (and yes, the special effects are gloriously retro), while “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” finally puts those haunting childhood book illustrations onto the big screen.

So whether you’ve got a toddler who thinks pumpkins are hilarious or a teen who insists they’re “too cool” for movie night but secretly still wants popcorn and ghosts, this list has you covered. And if you’re the parent who’s on their 87th rewatch of “Hotel Transylvania,” just remember… it could be worse. At least it’s not “Caillou: The Halloween Special.”

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Welcome Baby Girl

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky just made their family a party of five, and this time, they’ve got a little girl in the mix.

The superstar couple welcomed their third child, Rocki Irish Mayers, on September 13th.

The baby girl marks a big first for the pair, who already share two sons: RZA, born in May 2022, and Riot Rose, born in August 2023. Now, their new daughter officially balances the squad.

Rihanna shared the happy news with photos that melted the internet: one of her cradling Rocki in a pink onesie, and another of tiny pink boxing gloves laced with ribbon.

Subtle flex from the parents who know how to make a baby announcement feel like a cultural moment.

In case you didn’t know, A$AP Rocky’s real name is Rakim Mayers, so their daughter’s last name comes straight from dad.

Fans are already buzzing about the name Rocki, pointing out it’s the perfect blend of her dad’s stage name and her own unique flair. And if Rihanna’s track record as a style and beauty icon is any sign, little Rocki is already destined for the coolest baby fits on the planet.

This new addition cements Rihanna and A$AP as one of the most-watched celebrity families right now. Between parenting, music, and running billion-dollar fashion and beauty empires, the two somehow make balancing it all look effortless.

The Latest Girl Scout Cookie: Meet the Exploremores

The Girl Scouts are back in the kitchen… and no, it’s not gender roles thing, it’s a new cookie!

Their newest concoction is called the Exploremores, and they’re basically a Rocky Road cookie in uniform.

Here’s the breakdown:

Chocolate cookies ✅
Creamy filling ✅
Flavors of chocolate, marshmallow, and toasted almond crème ✅✅✅

The organization says the cookies are meant to “reflect the spirit of exploration at the heart of every Girl Scout.” Which sounds inspiring… though let’s be honest, some Girl Scouts are just exploring how many hours they can spend on Roblox.

The Exploremores officially roll out in January when cookie season starts, joining the classics (Thin Mints, Tagalongs, Samoas, etc.) and newer recruits like Adventurefuls, Lemon-Ups, Toffee-tastics, and Caramel Chocolate Chip.

Noticeably absent? Remember Raspberry Rallys… which were kinda like Thin Mints with a raspberry twist? They seemed to be a hit a couple years ago, but apparently they were a one-off thing.

And don’t bother asking for S’mores or Toast-Yays either. Those were retired earlier this year, so it’s goodbye to cookies shaped like French toast.

So, Girl Scout Cookie Season 2026: Now with added marshmallow crème.