Honestly, in my childhood opinion, it was fine, just trying out food and drinks (whether from shopping or restaurants), testing electronics and arcade games, maybe even buying some toys or going to indoor play areas.
Though the novelty of it soon worn out gradually, taking a walk and peek at around these areas for anything interesting is good once in a while, even if you're not buying anything.
Edit: on sec thoughts, should I place this in the urbanism community? And just so you know, I'm not an American, so I wouldn't know what butcherism might occur in the implementation of malls.
There's a mall near where I used to live that was just plopped down on an empty field next to a highway but the city had foresight to build a rail connection and bus terminal there too. It's now been there about 15 years and now it's surrounded by housing.
I can't really be mad at that kind to thing tbh.
Well, that's some planning, at least.