Mall facts for kids

View of the Mall of the Emirates, in Dubai.

The central walking area of the Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto, Canada.

A mall or shopping centre is a very large building. It holds many smaller shops and stores inside. Unlike old markets, each shop in a mall has its own space with walls. Most shops open up to a central walking area inside the building. This makes it easy for people to walk around and visit many different stores.

What is a Shopping Mall?

A shopping mall is a place where people go to shop for many different things. It's a big building designed to have lots of stores under one roof. This means you can find clothes, electronics, books, and more all in one spot. Malls are also great places to meet friends or spend time with family.

Different Names for Malls

In the United States, people usually call these places "malls" or "shopping centers". In the United Kingdom, they are most often called "shopping centres". Sometimes, malls are also known as plazas. No matter the name, they all offer a similar experience.

What Can You Do at a Mall?

Malls offer more than just shopping. They are popular places for many activities.

Shopping and Stores

The main reason people visit malls is to shop. You can find almost anything you need. Malls have stores that sell:

• Clothes and shoes
• Electronics and gadgets
• Books and toys
• Home goods and gifts

Many different brands and types of shops are usually found in one mall.

Food and Entertainment

Most malls have a special area called a food court. This is where you can buy many kinds of food and drinks. It's a great place to grab a quick meal or snack. Some malls also have movie theatres where you can watch the latest films. Other fun things you might find include arcades, play areas, or even ice skating rinks.

Parking and Comfort

Malls usually have large parking lots. These are places where people can park their cars easily. Since malls have roofs, people can shop comfortably no matter the weather outside. This makes them a popular choice for shopping on rainy or very hot days.

Famous Malls Around the World

Some shopping malls are so big and popular that they become famous landmarks.

• The West Edmonton Mall is in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is known as one of the largest malls in the world.
• The Mall of America is located in Bloomington, Minnesota, in the United States. It is also one of the biggest malls globally.