Have you noticed that your kids just want to be around you on holidays and weekends? Young kids in particular are not so fussed about the destination, rather the opportunity of being in the great outdoors with you and ideally some of their friends.

Camping is easy, cheap and perfect for dads and their kids. Go solo with your kids or team up with some mates and their kids. Either way the kids are guaranteed to love it.

The essentials: Tent, tarp, sleeping bags, mattresses (consider cots over blow-ups, if you’ve space take a slab of foam) chairs (milk crates) torch and head light, batteries, water container, esky, food, cutlery, cups, plates, bowls, open fire, loads of space away from other people, first aid kit, mobile phone.

Cooking: matches, fire starter and paper, fry pan, billy, pot, camp oven, thick gloves, spanner (to pick up hot pots), long tongs, serving spoon, wooden spoon, egg flipper, Swiss army knife.

Hygiene: Dunny paper, detergent, large bowl to wash in (good also for warm hand washes for you and the kids), garbage bags, sponge, tea towel, scourer, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, sunscreen, insect repellent.

Extras: Lash out on these easy to serve low cost camping delicacies. Yum cha, marsh mellows, chips, camp oven specials (leg of lamb, curries, dampers, roast chickens etc)

TIP: With yum cha take bamboo steamers, (place over the billy) if on the open fire be sure to slightly wet down to prevent them and your yum cha catching fire.