18 Strange Mall Kiosks We All Remember

Bright lights, endless chatter, and the occasional overwhelming scent of cinnamon rolls weren’t the only things that made malls unforgettable. Tucked between your favorite stores were strange little kiosks that sold the most unusual products and offered equally unusual services.

Tricia Quitales
May 29, 2025
4 min read

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Before online shopping took over, malls were not just places to buy things but to experience odd and fun moments. Weird kiosks popped up everywhere with bold salespeople and confusing products. Some sold things we didn’t need but couldn’t resist, while others were just plain bizarre. Each one was a little world of its own, bringing curiosity and often confusion to passing shoppers.

1. Oxygen Bars

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You’d sit with tubes up your nose, breathing flavored oxygen like it was the future. The salesperson swore it made you more relaxed and energized. Most of us walked away unsure if it worked or if we were just being trendy.

2. Magnetic Bracelets

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They promised to alleviate your back pain, headaches, and possibly even improve your love life. These metal bands were sold with intense enthusiasm and a hint of mystery. People either swore by them or thought they were a scam.

3. Cell Phone Bedazzling

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Nothing said personality like gluing rhinestones on your flip phone. These kiosks had tiny gems, plastic charms, and questionable glue guns. Your phone may have looked cute, but it probably never closed properly again.

4. Hair Wraps

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Strangers would tie colorful strings into your hair while you stood still like a statue. It felt cool for about two weeks, then awkward when the wrap wouldn’t come out. The smell of incense nearby always made this experience extra memorable.

5. Remote-Control Helicopters

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You could hear them buzzing long before you saw the stand. These flying toys zoomed dangerously close to shoppers’ heads while the vendor showed off. No one actually bought them for kids; adults wanted to play, too.

6. Dead Sea Salt Scrubs

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Suddenly, a stranger was exfoliating your hand without asking. They’d scrub, rinse, and leave you awkwardly impressed by how soft your skin felt. You left with a jar of overpriced salt and no clue how you got convinced.

7. Personalized Name Rice Necklaces

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Tiny grains of rice with your name written inside a glass vial. Watching them create it under a microscope was oddly hypnotic. Most of us wore them once and then lost them forever.

8. Mood Rings and Lava Lamps

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The stand glowed like a 1970s time machine. You’d try on a ring that claimed to reveal your emotions based on color. Most colors just meant you were probably cold or confused.

9. Temporary Henna Tattoos

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It looked like real ink without the lifelong commitment. Artists would draw flowers, dragons, or hearts while you nervously hoped it dried correctly. Half the time, you smudged it before even leaving the mall.

10. Mini Massagers

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They looked like little bugs but buzzed like power tools. Salespeople would grab your hand and show you how it could fix all your tension. You nodded politely while trying to escape their grip.

11. Weird Fidget Toys Before Fidgets Were Cool

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Before the fidget spinner craze, there were squishy blobs, stretchy strings, and twisty puzzles. They didn’t claim to help anxiety, but they were fun to poke. Most of them ended up lost in car seats or drawers.

12. Airbrushed T-Shirts

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You could get your name, your face, or your favorite cartoon character spray-painted in neon. It was custom fashion at its boldest and brightest. The shirts faded fast, but the memories didn’t.

13. Teeth Whitening Kiosks

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Strangers bleaching your teeth in public while mall-goers stared was weirdly normal. Bright lights, open chairs, and too much confidence in mall hygiene. Your smile may have glowed, but your self-consciousness doubled.

14. Spy Gadgets for Kids

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Cameras in pens, fake mustaches, and voice changers made every kid feel like James Bond. These gadgets barely worked, but imagination made up for it. Parents mostly bought them to stop the begging.

15. Scented Oils with Magical Claims

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You’d walk by and suddenly be covered in sandalwood or lavender. The vendors promised the oils could cure stress, bad luck, and maybe heartbreak. They never worked, but you smelled great for hours.

16. Pet Adoption Pop-Ups

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Kittens and puppies in glass enclosures melted hearts instantly. People stopped just to stare, then left somehow with a new furry friend and zero preparation. These kiosks were happiness traps with wagging tails.

17. Pop Culture Posters

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Wall-to-wall displays of boy bands, horror films, and anime. It was where teenagers spent forever deciding between two versions of the same poster. You probably still have one rolled up in your closet.

18. Shoe Cleaning Stands

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They’d target you with a dirty sneaker demo like it was a magic trick. One shoe would sparkle while the other looked embarrassed. You never actually cleaned your own shoes like that again.