How to Have Fun at a Mall

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: February 28, 2023

If you like to visit the mall, you know it’s more than just a place for shopping. It can be somewhere to hang out with friends, have a bite to eat, watch interesting people, and go see movies. Because the mall is such a popular spot, there are plenty of ways to have fun, even if you don’t want to spend much money.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Having Fun in Mall Stores

1
Try on clothes. Of course, a large part of the mall experience is shopping, but even if you aren’t going to buy anything, trying on clothes can still be a lot of fun. Try on cute outfits or outfits in a completely different style than what you’d normally wear or fancy formal attire.
- If you’re with a friend at the mall, secretly pick out clothes for each other to try on. Mismatched outfits will make you laugh, and you might even find you look great in something you didn’t know you’d like.
2
Play with pets at the pet store. If you can, pet the rabbits, kittens, and puppies. Watch the smaller animals in their cages.
- Find your favorite little critters, and give them silly names. Watch how they behave in their cages.
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3
Flip through magazines at the bookstore. A bookstore can be a great place to hang out in your mall and get a little reading time in.
- Find a chair, and flip through your favorite magazines and books.^{[1]
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- You can read them without needing to buy anything.
4
Enjoy non-clothing stores. The mall isn’t just about shopping for shoes or clothes. Make sure to go in all the other stores and have some fun.
- Sniff all the candles, and try lotions in stores like Bath & Body Works.
- Find funky gadgets, and try out massage chairs at places like Brookstone.
- Pay a visit to the Apple store, and test-drive the latest iPad or MacBook. Leave a funny video for the next customer.
- Go in a store like Williams Sonoma for free samples of gourmet foods.
5
Watch the televisions at a television display. You can often find these in department stores like Sears.
- Look for movies or televisions shows that you like. If the employees don’t look busy, you can even see if they will change the channel for you.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Playing Games in the Mall

1
Play a people-watching game. In malls, there are all kinds of interesting people to watch. Make it a game with your friends.
- For example, play people-watching “Bingo.” Come up with categories before you begin. For example, categories might be: a person with bright pink hair, a child on a leash, or a person with five different shopping bags. Whoever spots a certain number of the categories first, wins.
- Add a silly prize to the game. Maybe the winner gets candy from the vending machine or something at the food court.
2
Go to the arcade. Many malls having gaming centers or arcades, which can be a fun way to spend an afternoon. Go play games like ski ball with your friends.
- Take a pre-determined amount of money, whether it’s a dollar or ten dollars to spend in the arcade, so you don’t end up spending more than you meant to.
3
Play hide-and-seek in the mall without it being too obvious. Choose a store, or a group of stores to play in. Get one of your friends to count inside their head while pretending to shop.
- You and the rest of your friends can go hide in your predetermined area. While you hide, pretend to be shopping. This can be quite funny, as you try to act casual while hiding.
4
Dance behind people. This can be a great dare with your friends. Pick a stranger to dance behind.
- Stand several feet behind this person and begin to dance. You want to be clearly behind them but not invading their personal space. Don’t dance in a way that could be seen as vulgar. Stay on the silly side.
- If they turn around to look, stop immediately.
- After a few minutes, casually walk away.
- Don’t forget to have your friend video tape your dancing for laughs later.
5
Pretend to live in the home goods store. This is a great game to play in stores like Pottery Barn. Try out beds and couches.
- Or, pretend like you are shopping for a house, and pick out your favorite furniture.
6
Find the most expensive item. If your mall has lots of posh stores, go in with your friends. Create a challenge to see who can find the most expensive and overpriced item.
- Once you’ve picked your items, have another friend determine whose item is the most absurd.
7
Ride one of the shopping mall's mechanical rides. Even if you’re older, you can have fun feeling like a kid again and laugh about it with friends.
- Usually these rides are fairly inexpensive, around a dollar or less.
8
Listen for cute things that toddlers say. You will find little kids in toy stores and children’s clothing stores.
- Smile at them as you walk by.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Going to the Food Court

1
Take advantage of the free samples. Mall free samples are a great way to get a free snack or two. Make sure you try everything they have to offer.
- Make a visit to the food court when you first arrive at the mall and then a second trip a few hours later. You can get seconds on your free samples.
2
Assemble an around-the-world meal. Food courts are great because they have so much variety. Together with your friends, buy something small from all the different food court restaurants that you like.
- Then, lay out all your tasty entrees, and share with your friends. That way, you get to have a bite of everything.
3
Buy a treat. Even if you don’t want to pay for an entire meal, the food court can be a place to buy a small treat to fuel the rest of your mall adventure.
- Get something like a cinnamon pretzel or a milkshake from your favorite food court restaurant.
4
Pay it forward. Buy something small like an ice cream for someone else as an act of generosity.

Community Q&A

Question

What doesn't the mall let you do?

Community Answer

Usually, you can use your judgement. Certain rules should be posted in your mall. Always be respectful of others around you and mall employees. Don't be too disruptive, or make a mess.
Question

What do I do in a mall with a guy friend?

Community Answer

That depends on what the mall has to offer. If there is ice skating, try that. Maybe grab a bite to eat, or try and find a store you both like. Go to a movie or just hang out and talk.
Question

What are some things I could do for free or for 5 dollars or less?

Saamiya Saqib

Community Answer

Play some games, as mentioned above. Try to find some makeup or clothes on sale for super cheap. Fun toys and other trinkets are also pretty inexpensive.

Warnings

Be aware of strangers.

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Helpful 47 Not Helpful 7
Don’t steal anything, and be aware of all your mall’s policies.

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Helpful 43 Not Helpful 8
Don't hassle employees, prank them, or get in their way. If they ask you to stop doing something in a store, be polite and stop. Apologize if you bother someone.

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Helpful 17 Not Helpful 3
Don't you ever get items from the shelves out of fun if you do not have the intent of returning it there.

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Helpful 7 Not Helpful 2
Avoid tearing off plastic seals and covers of the items! You can get into more trouble than what you've caused to the store!

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Helpful 6 Not Helpful 2