It looks like our favorite group of kids from fictional Hawkins, Indiana may be getting some much needed R&R ahead of Stranger Things season 3. While there was only a 10-month time gap between the events of the first and second season of the hit Netflix series, the Duffer Brothers are apparently planning on a more significant time jump following the conclusion of season two, though their reasoning for this isn’t exactly story related – the kids are growing up, fast!

In a recent interview with Yahoo, Ross Duffer confirmed that “It will have to be somewhat of a time gap, because the kids are, I mean, they already look so much older.” That said, apparently the time gap between season 1 and 2 of Stranger Things was also due to the kids getting older. “I remember when we were originally talking about season 2, we wanted to just start it in Christmas and just go from there,” says Ross, “but then we realized the kids are just too old, so we had to jump forward.” Part of the reason why everybody loves Stranger Things is because of how endearingly innocent its younger cast members are, so it is almost scary to think that these kids are very quickly growing out of that particular phase within their lives. “Even the latest trailer, we had to loop a line with [Caleb McLaughlin, who plays Lucas],” said Matt Duffer. “He sounds like a man now. It creeps me out. He’s going to be driving to set next year.”

Despite the primary reason behind the upcoming time jump for Stranger Things season 3 being that the kids are getting older, the writers can certainly work it into the story. Without giving much away, one of the final scenes in season 3 involves Hopper discussing Eleven’s future, and being told that he should still have her lay low for “at least a year”. The Duffer Brothers most likely won’t want to revisit Eleven’s living situation from early on in season 2, so the upcoming time gap can potentially be used to set Stranger Things season 3 at the end of her “laying low” period following the events of season 2. One thing is certain, though; we’re all going to freak out once we hear that the younger cast members are driving themselves to set.

So, thoughts on the confirmed time gap for Stranger Things season 3? What do you think is in store for the kids next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below, and as always, stay tuned to Don’t Feed the Gamers for all the latest gaming and entertainment news! Don’t forget to follow DFTG on Twitter for our 24/7 news feed!