Dennis Quaid's ''great joy'' is his kids.

The 59-year-old actor - whose five-year-old twins, Zoe and Thomas, almost died when they were ten days old after they were among the three patients accidentally given 1,000 times the common dosage of a blood thinner - enjoys spending quality time with his children doing ordinary things.

Speaking to the New York Post newspaper, Dennis - who raises the twins with third wife Kimberly Buffington - said: ''My great joy's my kids. Five-year-old twins. I take them to school and to play at Santa Monica's pier.''

And despite his fame, the 'Playing For Keeps' star insists he doesn't use his celebrity status to get freebies for his family.

Speaking about taking his children to the theatre, he said: ''Yes. To regular theatres, too, and I pay. I don't get in for free.''

The 'At Any Price' star will see his eldest son Jack - from his marriage to second wife Meg Ryan - turn 21 this week, and while he has no idea what to buy him for the milestone birthday, he is still a supportive father doing all he can to help with his acting career.

He said: ''My older son Jack is 21 on April 24. I'm figuring what to get him. He's an actor in 'Hunger Games.' We don't run lines together, but I did offer to help him get an agent.''