If your family dog is anything like ours, you have no dreams of glory at the Westminster Dog Show. But can your dog roll over, stand on its hind legs, balance a Frisbee on its nose, anything?

If so, you finally have a chance to achieve greatness – and have a fun family afternoon. Crowder District Park in Apex will hold the Best Dog Trick Contest on Sunday at 1 p.m. It’s free to participate and no advance registration is required.

If your dog hasn’t even learned how to sit on command, or if you don’t have a dog, then take the kids just to play at the park and watch other people cajole their pooches into doing silly tricks.

The event organizers say they hope to find the most talented dogs in Wake County. There are youth and adult categories for both humans and dogs, and prizes will be given to the winners.

The show lasts an hour, but your family (and your dog, of course) can spend many more hours exploring Crowder Park, at 4709 Ten Ten Road.

The 33-acre park includes three playgrounds, a beach volleyball court, an amphitheater, wooded trails and a 3-acre pond with a boardwalk and observation deck. Sounds like plenty to keep the kids busy, regardless of whether your dog earns you bragging rights.

• If you have preschoolers, a series of garden storytimes starts today at J.C. Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh. The program is aimed at kids 3 to 5, and includes stories about gardens, songs, movement and a craft.

Storytimes begin at 10:30 a.m. today, Sept. 28 and Oct. 26. Participants meet in the visitor’s center.

Each story time costs $5 and pre-registration is required, so call 919-513-7007 or email elizabeth_overcash@ncsu.edu.

Remember to bring a picnic blanket.

Send Family Picks ideas or suggestions to kristin.familypicks@gmail.com