Give everyone a blank sheet of paper containing the items they must look for and a space to record where they found it, or have them take a picture of the item on their phone to show the group later.
You can seek individually if there’s only 3-5 friends in your group, or divide up into teams if there are more players. When playing games like hide-and-seek in the mall, be sure to abide by mall rules. Don’t run around or act like a nuisance somewhere where something might be broken or annoy others.
Try not to let anyone catch you staring, and don’t be too obvious about laughing or talking about the people you see passing by. There’s observing and then there’s being rude. If you get bored, play people watching games: subtly mimic conversations of people talking in the distance, keep count of the number of people wearing socks with sandals or try to predict how many of your acquaintances you’ll run into throughout the day.
Walking is one of the best activities you can perform to keep your body healthy; you won’t even feel like you’re exercising if you’re simply navigating the mall. Wear a pedometer to track the number of steps you take during a day of shopping. Add to that the weight of all the shopping bags you’re carrying and you may be burning some serious calories.
Get everyone to visit a different restaurant, then you can all share the food that you bring back. If you’re unsure about where you want to eat, make a lap around the food court and see if any of the restaurants are offering free samples. If something tastes especially good, give that place a shot. Sometimes you can even fill up just trying samples!
Some chain restaurants are partnered with shopping malls, putting their eateries at the outside entrances of the mall where they can be accessed easily by people going in and out.
Be considerate of stores that don’t want you eating inside if you’ve settled for something portable to eat.
Coffee shops also make a great rendezvous point for your group should anyone become separated, or if you all need to meet back up at a certain time. Free wi-fi and wall sockets for charging dying phones can be found at most cafes.
Having trouble finding a place to start? Most shopping malls have a directory board placed near each entrance to familiarize shoppers with the stores in the vicinity. Take a look and see what interests you. If you’re in a large group or have a limited amount of time to wander around, have each of your friends pick one store they want to visit and hit them all in order.
It may be helpful to assess your wardrobe before hand, see what you are missing, and maybe even write the list down. Take the season into consideration and stock up on clothes that will keep you looking and feeling great, like shorts, halter tops or sandals in the summer and eye-catching boots and jackets in the colder months. [7] X Research source If you need an outfit for a special event, let your shopping be focused on it. Try on outfits and have your friends tell you what they think. Friends make some of the best fashion experts!
Plan a movie party with your friends for when you get home.
Have all of your friends go in together on a pricier gift for a friend. That way, you can get them something nice without any one person having to spend too much.
Shopping mall theaters always show the most recent blockbusters, and in some cases keep them running longer than standalone theaters to give people more chances to see them.
The playful competition of multiplayer titles, like racing and dance-off games, will have you and your friends having a blast for hours. Pool all the tickets you’ve won at the end of the day to cash in for one big prize.
Though they don’t always allow for the same level of privacy and quiet, salons and massage parlors at the mall tend to be much more affordable alternatives to overpriced, overbooked day spas. Some department stores will do makeovers at the cosmetics counter for anyone who is interested. The next time you and the ladies are out at the mall, get your nails painted, your makeup done, and your hair styled as a group. [13] X Research source
