Summer Day Trip: Discovery Cube Los Angeles and Hansen Dam Aquatic Center

Will and CC enjoy the "Clifford the Big Red Dog" exhibit at Discovery Cube LA

Summer's almost over, but there's still time to pack in a fun Los Angeles day trip before your kids hit the books once again.

Ian, CC, Will and I ventured up to the Valley again to explore the hands-on exhibits at Discovery Cube Los Angeles while making a swim date at the nearby Hansen Dam Aquatic Center — which has a super-cool pool complete with winding water slide!

CC and Will were all about the "Adventures With Clifford the Big Red Dog" exhibit, which encourages kids to role-play activities such as working in a back yard (I say role-play because my children seldom water plants or rake leaves. I still love them, though. :) They can also pretend to steer a ferry and sell hamburgers and fries at Samuel's Fish and Chips Shack.

It's ferry time for the kids!

The goal for the exhibit, which runs through September 7, is to teach kids to work together, share, be kind and believe in yourself — all qualities I want to see in my own little ones.

This coming weekend, August 15-16, is particularly special, because Clifford himself will be on hand for photo ops!

Race to Zero Waste at the Discovery Cube LA

Will also got his hands on the Race to Zero Waste exhibit, which teaches kids the difference between recyclables, trash and other waste.

And before we made our way over to the lovely Hansen Dam Aquatic Center, we grabbed some snacks at the Cube's Bean Sprouts Cafe.

How cute are these offerings — Crocamole and a Do-Re-For-Me sandwich?!

Kid-friendly food options at the Bean Sprouts Cafe.

Just next door is the Hansen Dam Aquatic Center, and if you haven't been, it's definitely a semi-hidden gem that you have to explore.

The pool, first of all, is huge. And I what I loved most about it was how beachy it felt. Sand surrounded the pool, while the edges sloped in like an actual shore. That made it so much easier for Will to wade in — especially because they don't allow floaties on kids. (Apparently, one lifeguard told me, parents tend not to pay as much attention when kids are wearing them. Eek!)

Hansen Dam Pool

There was also an awesome water slide that CC and Ian went down a few times. (Will was sadly too little and young. The minimum age is 7 years old.) And its twists and turns make it a definite must-do!

Photo courtesy of Hansen Dam Aquatic Center

While we stayed at the pool and had a nice canopy to escape from the blazing sun when necessary, there are other attractions at the Dam.

There's the nearby lake that offers boating and kayaking. There's also an equestrian trail.

Prices are beyond reasonable for the public park, with tickets at $3.50 for adults and $1 for kids. Canopy rentals start at $18 for four hours.

Just be quick, though! The aquatic facilities are open only through September 27!

All in all, we had a great time. Even Ian was asking when we could go back.

Discovery Cube Los Angeles
11800 Foothill Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 91342
Tickets: $10 for adults and kids through January 3, 2016. Kids ages 2 and under are free.

Hansen Dam Aquatic Center
11798 Foothill Blvd.
Lake View Terrace, CA 91342
Tickets: $3.50 (adults); $1 (children 17 and under)

(Disclosure: I am being compensated for this post in my position as a #DiscoveryCubeMoms LA Ambassador. All opinions, however, are my own.)