Former cricketer and AFL footballer Max Walker drew on experiences of reading his five children off to sleep as he encouraged fellow dads on Sunday.

"There's no better investment in life than spending time with your kids," he said.

Walker was on hand to meet families and read stories at the sixth annual Dads for Kids Festival at Dubbo.

The event hosted by UnitingCare Burnside's Family Options program attracted about 860 people to the Dubbo Showground.

Walker recalled some useful advice he received from kindergarten teacher and "dear lady" Marilyn years ago.

"She said, 'You know with kids, you've got to sit on the floor, so you're eyeball-to-eyeball and you're not this six-foot tall guy looking down'," he said.

"The moment you sit on the floor there's a better connection."

He said part of spending time was storytelling.

"The better the stories, the more indelible, unforgettable, the want-to-have-it repeated again, and then over time they'll repeat that to their kids and it's almost a part of family folklore - even if you have made it up on the spur of the moment sitting on the edge of the bed after you've closed the book on one."

Enjoying the range of activities on the day were dad Jesse Tink and daughter Jemma, 18 months, of Dubbo.

Mum Melissa Jeffrey said Jemma loved spending time with her dad and his motorbike, and playing with the puppies together.

"He's a very proud dad, he takes her to everything," Ms Jeffrey said.

Margaret Ann Mould, UnitingCare Burnside child and family team acting manager, said the day was about promoting the important role men played in family relationships.

"Dads, pops, uncles, any male," she said.

"We provide this day for free, a fun day that's not a financial burden because some families have a number of children and it can be expensive to go on a family outing."

Families wanting further information can contact the Western Family Referral Service at 213 Brisbane Street or phone 1300 339 016.