Four years ago in Wildwood Park, I ran across the park as quickly as I could, scanning for any brightly colored eggs hidden behind rocks or trees. Every other person around me was doing the exact same thing. A lot of them were younger, but we were all united by one goal: find as many eggs as possible.
When I was a kid, my parents would take my two brothers and me to the community’s annual Easter egg hunt. By the time I was twelve, however, I began to realize the event was full of little kids half my age like my younger brother.
It is undeniably clear that teenagers are often unwelcome to participate in activities that are considered to be only for “kids.” From Easter egg hunts to trick-or-treating, teenagers are scorned by adults when they are seen participating in these community gatherings. Of course, they’re allowed to help set up and help out, but when it comes time to participate, they can only stand on the side and watch.
However, there are few good reasons young teens or even older teens shouldn’t be able to participate in a community get-together.
Community events allow people of all ages to meet and make new friends and promote a healthy outdoor activity that ultimately brings people closer together. There are no downsides, so why does society dislike it when teenagers take part in these events?
On the topic of that, even something as simple as playing hide-and-seek is seen as childish by adults. They’ll tell you teenagers are too “mature” to play playground games anymore, because they have better things to do, but I find that these games are a far better way to let loose and relax than just playing video games. You can have a good time with friends while staying off the screen, and isn’t that what adults want us to do anyways?
I don’t see anything wrong with letting us older children run around and have a fun time. Especially during an event like Easter, it’s one of the rare opportunities where the whole family — who are often occupied by school or jobs — spend time together.
Of course, some people may simply lose interest in these activities as they grow older and that is also normal. So, I have this message to adults: The next time you see a teen hunting for Easter eggs or trick or treating, don’t give them any dirty looks. Instead, let them enjoy the last fleeting moments of their childhood before they have to fully live in the adult world.
