Play Pictionary in Dubai for a good cause

Dubai - The initiative, in partnership with the Red Crescent, will see visitor's artistic creations such as images of animals, come to life to create a special gift for a child.

It is time to bring out the inner child in you. Although, we may feel that we are too old for board games but when you introspect a bit, you will find that you still feel happy when it comes to certain games that you loved playing in your childhood.
One such game is Pictionary. Majid Al Futtaim's malls have brought a life-size version of Pictionary on their premises to support a cause that involves helping underprivileged children. It will not only brighten up your mood but will also exercise your mind, body as well as contribute towards a good cause.
The life-sized tailor-made version of the world famous drawing game tests players' artistic skills, and induces lots of laughs along the way. In addition, to help spread smiles and the feeling of happiness, a selection of drawings will be chosen daily and made into real life plush toys. These will then be donated to little ones that are less fortunate.
The initiative, in partnership with the Red Crescent, will see visitor's artistic creations such as images of animals, come to life to create a special gift for a child.
"Giving back to communities is part of Majid Al Futtaim's core values and objectives. We are continuously exploring ways on how we can make a difference," said Mohammed Al Jasmi, manager of Mirdif City Centre. Drawings will be chosen daily and the best ones will be turned into stuffed toys and donated to less fortunate children, in partnership with the Red Crescent by the end of the initiative on May 30, he added.
To participate in the game, visitors of the lifestyle destinations who shop Dh300 and above at any outlet - retail, dining or entertainment - can exchange their receipts at the customer service desk for a token in order to play. The game is on from May 16 until May 30, 2016.
How to play
Player's work in teams of two; the Artist and the Guesser, with a maximum of 4 teams (8 people) playing on the board at the same time. The artist rolls the dice and the guesser moves to the corresponding coloured square. If they land on a sponsored square, they will receive an instant prize from one of the malls retailers.
The Game Master then collects an oversized coloured card that matches the coloured square and shows the artist a word that they will be drawing, without the guesser seeing. No letters, numbers or symbols are allowed, only free hand drawing is permitted and lots of imagination!
The artist draws a picture interpreting the word on the tablet, the guesser watches the picture being drawn by his or her teammate and tries to guess the word before the time is up (about 40 seconds). The faster you guess the more points you win!
After all the rounds have been played, each team's points are calculated and the team with the most points win mall gift cards worth Dh500.
Shoppers can play the life-size Pictionary from 12:30pm to 10pm on weekdays, and from 12:30pm to midnight on weekends at Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif. While at City Centre Me'aisem and City Centre Al Shindagha the game can be played from 3pm to 10pm on weekdays and 12:30pm to midnight on weekends.
saman@khaleejtimes.com