Yes, Family Picks are back! After all the hubub of the holidays it's a relatively quiet weekend in Champaign-Urbana, but that's a good thing in my opinion - one more chance for unscheduled time before the semester gears up!
Still, there's plenty to do, and you can some spend time outdoors while temps are still relatively warm. Here are a few suggestions:
Illini Farm Toy Show: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.Sunday, Holiday Inn, 1001 W. Killarney St., U. Admission charge.
More than 40 exhibitors displaying and selling farm toys, with a consignment auction at 10:30 a.m. and a kiddie tractor pull at noon Saturday. 
[3]This event is sponsored by Illinois Farm Bureau District 12 Young Leaders and Young Farmers Committees from Vermilion, Douglas, Edgar and Champaign counties.
Admission on Friday and Saturday is $2 to $3, or free for children under 6; on Sunday admission is free but donations for the Ag in the Classroom program will be accepted.
For information: Visit the event's website [4]
Family Nature Exploration Day: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sugar Grove Nature Center, 4532 N 725 East Road, McLean. Free.
Bring the family out for a day of fun at the Nature Center! A winter guided hike will begin at 11 a.m. to look for tracks in the snow and enjoy the brisk weather. Stop inside to create a make-and-take craft at any time, and don't miss animal feeding time at 1 p.m. No registration required.
Sugar Grove Nature Center is located in historic Funks Grove, just south of Bloomington-Normal off of Old Route 66.
For information/directions: Call 309-874-2174, email info@sugargrovenaturecenter.org [5] or visit www.sugargrovenaturecenter.org [6]
Take a hike: Allerton Park, off Interstate 72 Exits 164 or 166 in Monticello. Free.
Continuing our outdoor theme, explore the trails, gardens and sculpture at Allerton Park. See the authentic Fu dogs and the Sunken Garden or 
[7]hike out to the Sunsinger statue. You might even spot a deer or two among the wildlife.
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset, and an unstaffed visitor's center with maps and restrooms is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For information: Visit http://allerton.illinois.edu/visit.html [8]
Slavic Storytime: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Megan's Reading Room (children's services), Urbana Free Library, 210 W. Green St. U. Free.
Families can enjoy a story time co-sponsored by the Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center at the University of Illinois. A Russian New Year’s Celebration is also scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in the library's Lewis Auditorium.
For information: Call 367-4069 or visit www.urbanafreelibrary.org [9]
Anyone for chess? Chess Club for Kids New Year’s Party, 5 to 5:45 p.m. Saturday, Lewis Auditorium, Urbana Free Library, 210 W. Green St., U. Free.
Elementary-age kids who would like to learn to play chess or improve their skills can join the club and enjoy some treats to mark the start of 2012.
For information: Call 367-4069 or visit www.urbanafreelibrary.org [9]
Singin' the Blues: The Sugar Prophets in concert, 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Champaign Public LIbrary, 200 W. Green St., C. Free.
This relatively new blues band mixes talented newcomers and seasoned musicians for a high-energy sound. The group was a 2011 International Blues Challenge Finalist.
While you're there, check otu the older issues of popular magazines for 10 cents each at the FriendShop used book store's annual magazine clearance sale, which starts Saturday. Here' s a list of titles. [10]
For information: Call 403-2070 or visit www.champaign.org [11]
Kids feeling cooped up? Children ages 5 to 14 can enjoy pickup games, one-on-one or H-O-R-S-E. Parents must attend with kids under age 11. Admission is $1 at the door.
For information: Visit www.urbanaparks.org [12]
[13]
Feeling crafty? Here are a couple of Saturday morning clinics you and your creative child can enjoy:
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