Photo: Shutterstock.com

I’m not a summer person. This is not a new revelation. I’ve known since I was a tiny kid. What’s new is that I’m no longer pretending to like summer out of fear I’ll be branded a summer hater and become some sort of seasonal outcast by my pool-party, barbecue-loving, sun-goddess friends. Yes, I know the days are longer during the summer months and we get a couple of extra hours to be outside, but here’s the thing – it’s hot in the summertime and I REALLY dislike being hot. The best way I’ve found to survive a Texas summer is to hunker down inside with the air-conditioning until mid-October. Of course, it’s not completely miserable in Texas during the summer months. After sundown can be quite pleasant, and pool parties are a great way to chill out during the hot summer months.

If you’re like me and prefer your summer activities without the blistering heat, chill out with these family-friendly weekend events.

NRH2O Water Park is combining two of the best rituals of summer – a pool party and an outdoor movie – to create a refreshing Dive-In Movie event. They must love irony because they’re showing the ultimate “don’t go in the water” film this week. That’s right, ‘Jaws’ in all of its glory (or gory, depending on how you look at it) will be playing from a suspended screen over the wave pool this Friday night. If sitting in the water while watching a shark movie is too realistic for you, you can watch it from the safety of the beach. Movies start at dusk every Friday through July 28 and are included with admission.

Photo: Dallas Children’s Theater

Summer is the perfect time to introduce the little kiddles to stage theater.  Slip into the nice dark, cold theater and watch the magic of the stage take over. And speaking of magic, Dallas Children’s Theaters’ “Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters” will enchant you with a Zimbabwean Cinderella story of two sisters who are both lovely to look at on the outside, but very different on the inside. One sister is kind, thoughtful and generous, while the other is…well, not so much. Mufaro sends his daughters on a fantastical journey to meet the King in the hope he will choose one to be his bride. During the trip, each girl’s true character is revealed. Children will love the energetic singing, dancing, and African drum music; you’ll love the message–beauty without a kind heart is worthless.  This is your last weekend to see the Caldecott Medal-winning story come to life, so don’t delay getting tickets.

Enjoy the cool evening breeze and The Bard at Shakespeare in the Park at the Amphitheatre in Samuell-Grand Park. This season’s offerings are ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor,’ a comedy about the disreputable Sir John Falstaff and his pursuit of two housewives who outwit and humiliate him; and ‘Quixote,’ a modern take with a Texas twist on the Cervantes classic. Some of you might think Shakespeare in the Park is way over the heads of most kids, but you’d be surprised at how fun and engaging they can be. Sure, very small children should probably stay at home, but the rowdy acting, flashy staging, and the outdoor setting make for a very fun time. Bring a picnic, a blanket, and have an evening of theater al fresco!

For a very different kind of theater come see ‘This Show!’ at Fair Park’s Margo Jones Theater. You’ll see the writing process come to life on stage as the Circus Freaks and friends wrestle with creativity in a sometimes literal way. The show combines acrobatics, juggling, clowns, puppetry with live music together to create a hodge-podge of all the things we love about theater, circus, and classic fourth-wall-demolishing variety cabaret. Catch the shenanigans this Friday through Sunday.

If your clan is a fan of improvisational comedy you’ll need to check out Frisco Improv Players’ A Night of Comedy. The comedy troupe specializes in family-friendly, interactive, game-based shows similar to what you’d see on the “Whose Line is it Anyway?” comedy sports show. Get your funny bone tickled this Friday night at the Black Box Theater at Frisco Discovery Center.

Photo: Dallas Museum of Art

Admit it. You’ve been meaning to get down to the Dallas Museum of Art to see the Mexico 1900-1950 exhibition but stuff keeps getting in the way. You’ve only got a few more weeks to see this fabulous show and with the temperatures creeping into the triple digits there’s no time better than the present to enjoy the wonderful chilly feel of a museum.  Need another reason? How about Fridamania! Celebrate Frida Kahlo’s 110th and be a part of history as the DMA and the Latino Center for Leadership and Development try to set a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Frida Kahlo. But hold on there! Before you throw your old Mexican dresses on your mini-me’s there are criteria you need to follow if you want to be included in the count. You must have the unibrow, a minimum of three artificial flowers in your hair, a red or pink shawl (no patterns, it must be a solid color), and a flower-printed dress that extends below the knees on all sides( no slits up the side). Frida Fest happens Thursday evening at 6 p.m.