10 Things You Could Do at the Mall That Kids Can’t Today
From arcade battles to spontaneous mall adventures, discover 10 nostalgic things kids once did at the mall that have disappeared in today’s screen-driven world.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Once-thriving community centers, malls were full of life where children enjoyed a broad range of experiences beyond consumerism. From a war between friends in arcades and patrolling parking lots to movie watching and demoing new devices, they were where companionship was created and memories were forged. Now, many of these activities are gone, supplanted by virtual substitutes, a nostalgic gap in contemporary mall society.
1. Arcade Adventures
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There were once arcades in malls, with old-school favorites such as Pac-Man, Street Fighter, and Dance Dance Revolution. It was a communal scene, with children competing against one another, trading high scores, and battling for hours. Nowadays, the arcades have largely given way to mobile games, so the live gaming culture has largely vanished.
2. Hang Out at the Food Court for Hours
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A mainstay of mall life, food courts were a social gathering place where children could get a slice of pizza, hang out for hours, and watch people go by. It was a refuge from parental control and hanging out with friends. Nowadays, children may be so caught up in screens or their social media streams that they don’t experience the same casual hangout atmosphere.
3. Buy a CD at Sam Goody
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During the ’90s and early 2000s, purchasing music meant going to a brick-and-mortar location such as Sam Goody or Tower Records. You’d spend hours digging through racks of CDs, finding new artists, and arguing among friends about which album to purchase. Nowadays, music streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music have rendered such stores useless.
4. See a Movie in a Mall Theater
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Some malls had multiplexes where you could see the latest movie release. These cinemas were a big part of the mall experience, with special deals and a convenient hangout area before or after the movie. Nowadays, with home theater systems and streaming services, children prefer to watch movies at home instead of in a movie theater.
5. Test Drive the Latest Tech
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In the past, electronics chains such as Best Buy or Circuit City were mall destinations, and there was an enormous section for phones, computers, and games to try. Children would sit, play, and test out new gadgets and games, arguing with sales staff about features. Now, technology is largely purchased through the internet, and children seldom get a similar hands-on experience before buying.
6. Cruise Around in the Mall’s Parking Lot
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Back in the ’90s and early 2000s, it was not rare for teenagers to drive around mall parking lots in their vehicles, waiting for other friends or simply parading their cars. The mall was a gathering place, not only for a shopping experience but also for cruising, playing music loudly, and testing who could arrive in the hippest vehicle. With safety and less free-range driving, young people today tend to remain glued to virtual meetups.
7. Get a Mall Hairstyling Makeover
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Mall beauty shops, such as the ones at stores such as Regis or MasterCuts, were the ideal place to visit for a quick trim or styling, sometimes with children playing around with radical styles. You could have a new hip look and then be able to walk it off around the mall right away. Nowadays, many children may prefer to do home grooming or watch online tutorials instead of going to the mall beauty shop for a makeover.
8. Take Part in a Mall Scavenger Hunt
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Malls would usually have a scavenger hunt or contest where children would search for clues or gather items for rewards. It was exciting to visit various stores, meet new friends, and get something for your effort. Nowadays, such activities are no longer as popular, and children prefer the instant reward of online challenges.
9. Go to the Video Rental Store
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There were once video rental shops like Blockbuster where you could rent new VHS tapes or DVDs. It was a big deal to walk through rows of new releases and classics, choosing what film to bring home. Now that digital streaming has dominated, video rental shops are extinct.
10. Take a Ride on the Mall’s Carousel
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Most shopping malls previously had a carousel or miniature amusement park area where children could ride colorful horses or other rideable characters. It was a quick, happy pause between shopping and socializing. Now, mall carousels are much less frequent, and children usually prefer larger theme parks or virtual fun instead.