A Cool Way to Eat Smart — Healthy Summer Snacking with Toddlers

As temperatures rise, summer brings more than just sunshine and outdoor adventures — it’s also the perfect season to refresh your toddler’s diet with healthy, energizing foods. Encouraging nutritious eating habits in young children sets the foundation for lifelong wellness, and summer is a great time to make healthy eating fun, interactive, and delicious.

One simple and exciting way to do that? Get kids involved in making their own healthy snacks — like Frozen Yogurt Bark.


Why Healthy Eating Matters in the Summer

During the summer months, toddlers are more active, whether they’re running through sprinklers, playing at the park, or splashing in the pool. All that movement requires plenty of nourishment — but not just any snack will do. Choosing nutrient-rich options helps children:

  • Stay hydrated with water-rich fruits like strawberries and cucumbers
  • Maintain energy levels through balanced snacks full of protein and fiber
  • Support growth and development with vitamins, calcium, and healthy fats
  • Build immunity, which is especially important with more exposure to outdoor germs

Frozen Yogurt Bark: A Healthy, Kid-Approved Snack

Frozen Yogurt Bark is a perfect example of a wholesome summer treat that satisfies cravings and supports your child’s nutritional needs.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp raisins
  • 5 fresh strawberries, chopped
  • 1 tbsp dark chocolate chips

Simply mix the yogurt and honey, stir in raisins, and spread the mixture on a foil-lined tray. Sprinkle with strawberries and chocolate chips, freeze for a few hours, and break into pieces for a refreshing, sweet-and-creamy snack!


The Benefits of Getting Toddlers Involved in Cooking

Having toddlers help in the kitchen does more than pass the time — it teaches essential life skills and encourages a positive relationship with food. When kids help make their own snacks, they are:

  • More likely to try new foods
  • Learning healthy habits through hands-on experience
  • Building confidence and independence
  • Developing fine motor skills by pouring, stirring, and chopping with supervision

It also turns snack time into a bonding activity. Let your child pick their toppings — blueberries, granola, or even shredded coconut — and watch their creativity come to life!


A Summer of Smart Snacking

This summer, cool off and fuel up with nutritious choices that your kids can help make. Frozen Yogurt Bark is just the beginning — by creating fun and healthy food together, you’re not just making snacks, you’re making memories (and healthy habits) that last long after summer ends.

Try it out and tag us with your creations — we’d love to see your frozen masterpieces!

Magical Beginnings Learning Centers Expands to Medford with New Early Education Center

Community Open House Scheduled for May 3rd Ahead of Official Opening on May 19th, 2025

Medford, MA – April 30th, 2025 — Magical Beginnings Learning Centers is excited to announce the grand opening of its newest center, located at 10 Cabot Road in Medford, MA. Families are invited to a Community Open House on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, featuring entertainment from the enchanting Bubble Fairy, face painting, and hands-on sensory and art projects for children.

The Medford center will officially open its doors on May 19th, 2025, and will provide early education and care for up to 99 children, including infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. This new location marks Magical Beginnings’ 15th center in Massachusetts and its continued commitment to supporting families with high-quality, play-based learning environments.

“We’re thrilled to bring Magical Beginnings to the Medford community,” said Bre Quinn, Director of Enrollment. “For 25 years, we’ve helped children across Massachusetts grow, learn, and thrive in nurturing, engaging spaces. This new center allows us to extend high-quality early education and childcare to even more families. As a former Medford resident myself, I am confident that we will become a part of the strong community that makes this city so special.”

Founded in 2000, Magical Beginnings has built a trusted reputation for its child-centered philosophy, experienced educators, and warm, welcoming environments. With a focus on building self-confidence through curiosity and community, the dedicated educators at Magical Beginnings help children grow at their own pace, preparing them for a bright and confident future.

Families interested in touring the new facility or enrolling can attend the open house or contact the center directly at 978-643-5510 or www.magicalbeginningslc.com/medford/.

For more information follow Magical Beginnings on social media on Facebook and Instagram.

RSVP for the Community Open House.

About Magical Beginnings
At Magical Beginnings, we believe in the everyday magic of childhood. Our warm, welcoming learning centers nurture children’s natural sense of wonder and help them develop important life skills like kindness, independence, and teamwork. We have been providing exceptional care and education for young children for 25 years. At our 15 centers across Massachusetts, we believe that every child has a unique spark, deserving of a nurturing environment where they feel safe, supported, and inspired to explore the world around them. Our programs include infants, toddlers, preschool/pre-k.

Best of North Shore 2022 Editor’s & Readers’ Choice Winner!

Magical Beginnings has been awarded a Best of North Shore Award (BONS) for the second year running! We were awarded the Editor’s Choice and Readers’ Choice awards. 


Our exceptional teachers and staff are so deserving of this recognition for their work and their passion!

Each member of our MB family goes above and beyond to ensure a positive impact for children during the most crucial years of development. We are so proud of this award! 

Thank you for being a part of our community! 

Best of North Shore 2023 Readers’ Choice Winner!

Magical Beginnings has been awarded a Best of North Shore Award (BONS) for the third year running! We were awarded the Readers’ Choice award for Best Kids’ Program/Early Enrichment. 


Our exceptional teachers and staff are so deserving of this recognition for their work and their passion!

Each member of our MB family goes above and beyond to ensure a positive impact for children during the most crucial years of development. We are so proud of this award! 

Thank you for being a part of our community! 

Magical Beginnings Opens Beverly Location

On October 25th, we officially opened the doors to our newest school, located in Beverly. This is the seventh location for Magical Beginnings since its founding in 2000. 

Meet The Beverly Office Team

Melissa Ritchie, former Director of the Maple Street school, is our new Director at our Beverly location. Ritchie has been with Magical Beginnings since 2000. 

Amy Waldron comes to Beverly as the new Office Manager. Previously Waldron was a toddler teacher in Middleton. 

They are both thrilled to welcome all the new families to Beverly!

Beverly School Details

Bonbon sweet roll jelly-o cake lemon drops topping gummi bears caramels. Dessert icing pudding croissant gingerbread topping sesame snaps. 

Conveniently located next to I-95, the Beverly school is approximately 6,200 square feet, with plans for six classrooms for infants through pre-k students. Located at 50 Dunham Ridge Rd, the school will care for 40 preschool students, 18 toddlers, and 14 infants at full capacity. The playground features a large tree lined outdoor space which is divided into toddler and preschool areas.

Join Our Team

Magical Beginnings is actively recruiting teachers and staff in Beverly and several other North Shore locations. If you love children and are looking for a rewarding career—we want to meet you!

Best of North Shore 2021

Magical Beginnings has been nominated for a Best of North Shore Award (BONS) for the very first time!

We need your help

The North Shore has been our home from the earliest days of Magical Beginnings and as we have grown to six locations across the region. This is a particularly special opportunity to be recognized by our own community – our peers, our friends, our neighbors. But we need your help!

The hands of the child who smeared on the gray background.

Can you visit the BONS website today and vote for Magical Beginnings?

To vote, scroll down to the Kids’ Program nominees list (under the ‘Play’ category).

Email registration is required to ensure registrants may only vote for one business per category.

Voting is open through midnight May 1, 2021.

Other Ways You Can Help

  • Please share the link with your people and ask them to vote too!
  • Text your friends with a link asking them to vote
  • Share posts to your networks about BONS from our Facebook or Instagram

It’s also easy for parents and visitors to vote during drop off or pick up! You can find the link by scanning the QR code posted right at our schools.

Our exceptional teachers and staff deserve to be recognized for their work and their passion.

Each member of our MB family goes above and beyond to ensure a positive impact for children during the most crucial years of development. We are so proud of this nomination! 

Thank you for being a part of our community! 

Best of North Shore 2021 Readers’ Choice Winner!

Magical Beginnings has been awarded a Best of North Shore Award (BONS) for the very first time! We were awarded the Readers’ Choice award for Play > Kids Program. 


Our exceptional teachers and staff are so deserving of this recognition for their work and their passion!

Each member of our MB family goes above and beyond to ensure a positive impact for children during the most crucial years of development. We are so proud of this award! 

Thank you for being a part of our community!