Rainy day activity idea: the mall

[Anonymous]

This would never have occurred to me because I generally don't think of shopping as a leisure activity. But DH needed to exchange a Christmas gift today and wanted my feedback so we took our 8 year old along (sibling was at a playdate). I thought it would be miserable for her and bribed her with promise of a treat at the food court.

She had a blast! Spent a full half hour making Lego figures with a random group of kids at the Lego store, enjoyed smelling perfume samples at Sephora, poked around the popmart store. DH got his shopping done, we got a snack at the food court, DD didn't even ask to buy anything (I offered to buy her some of the Lego figures and she didn't care). Wound up being an inexpensive and easy way to get a kid out if the house on a rainy day, turned into a binding experience, and was a heck of a lot more fun for me than going to like a trampoline park.

Haven't spent this much time at a mall in like 20 years. Who knew.

[Anonymous]

The mall is busy on rainy days for a reason.

[Anonymous]

All the other people there...

[Anonymous]

I really enjoyed shopping at the mall with my mom and grandma when I was little. I learned skills about picking quality garments and understanding when items are really on sale. I also did the teen mall hangout thing in the 1980s.

As a grownup, I've had few chances to shop with other women but when it's happened it's been a lot of fun.

I think the major reason I abandoned the mall is the troubled retail environment: worse quality clothes, items not in my size so I have to order online, fitting rooms in poor repair, unstable evening hours since Covid.

But I agree with OP. It can be fun occasionally.

[Anonymous]

Sure. It can be a great fun. But not in the height of flu season. I hope everyone washed their hands and maybe, dare I say it, even wore a mask.

[Anonymous]

Ex's parents lived in McLean so whenever we'd go out there for family dinner or something we'd usually stop at the mall to return things, get something repaired, whatever and I was always wildly overstimulated. Tyson's is insane, even on a sunny day. I prefer Tyson's II - a little rich for my blood (and wallet) but it's less crowded than the main mall.

With that being said, I do agree with PP, it can be fun occasionally. Plus all the walking around is a good way to get steps in even on a rainy day. Right now we're just sitting indoors (although sometimes that's necessary too...I went to an exercise class this morning and am sore, so I welcome an afternoon spent in comfy clothes watching television).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sure. It can be a great fun. But not in the height of flu season. I hope everyone washed their hands and maybe, dare I say it, even wore a mask.

I'm pretty COVID-conscious and absolutely think people should wear a mask if they want to, but this is strangely judgmental... the parents most likely work in an office and run other errands (groceries) unmasked, and the kids go to school... so why is this so risky?

[Anonymous]

My kids enjoyed the mall when young. One mall had a food court, Mrs fields, a bookstore and a train. Another had a food court, play area and build a bear. At your daughters age, the train and play area lost appeal but by then they enjoyed looking in specific stores. The mall closest to us also has lucky strike and a movie theater.

[Anonymous]

I go to the mall at least once a week. Love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sure. It can be a great fun. But not in the height of flu season. I hope everyone washed their hands and maybe, dare I say it, even wore a mask.

I'm pretty COVID-conscious and absolutely think people should wear a mask if they want to, but this is strangely judgmental... the parents most likely work in an office and run other errands (groceries) unmasked, and the kids go to school... so why is this so risky?

IDK, maybe your should ask google why flu and covid is so high in cold weather. you may find out it's because people stay INSIDE (i.e., malls!!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sure. It can be a great fun. But not in the height of flu season. I hope everyone washed their hands and maybe, dare I say it, even wore a mask.

https://share.google/bPs1HMLpD4VxltBDs

[Anonymous]

I love the mall on off hours. Tuesday am or later at night.

One memory I have was with a friend and our five year olds. I was nine months pregnant we had been running around all day. I started jumping up and down whenever no one was around thinking it would speed things up.

Not sure if it was coincidence but labor started the next day.

[Anonymous]

Enjoy the illness coming in the next few days!!

[Anonymous]

I guess you're a young mom or grew up somewhere outside the east coast? Bc 80s-90s east coast suburbia - the mall WAS the thing to do. The place to hang out. So this wouldn't be a fascinating revelation.

But yeah playing w legos in a store that everyone else has touched that are never ever cleaned - nowadays ew. Back when I was a kid my parents would've never thought twice about it - but this was the 80s, we hadn't lived thru covid.

[Anonymous]

It's a very bad flu season, OP, so I hope you and your kids are vaccinated. Otherwise, great idea! I wouldn't have thought about a mall either.