Joining these ranks is British retailer Caramel Baby & Child, which recently opened its first stand-alone across the Big Pond.

This 1244 Madison Avenue location means business too. Eva Karayiannis, who founded the brand in 1999 as a departure from flashy, big department store brands has created both boys’ and girls’ collections that boast classic British tailoring and quality, yet a level of practicality that matches the upper-crust lifestyle of busy bodies from ages 3 months to 12 years. The Manhattan boutique will stock not only these gorgeous fashion collections, but Caramel Baby & Child’s home collection, fanciful toys, accessories and books. A dress will set you back about $150 and a boy's Dickens double-breasted coat in dogtooth plaid will run just under $300.

The aesthetic is not quite bohemian, but not too conservative; we’ll call it curiously posh!

Bennet Sell-Kline for ElectricZooFestival.com

No wedding in New England? Fearful of Hamptons traffic? No weekend escape upstate? No worry! New York City is the perfect place to be this Labor Day Weekend. Most of the City’s cultural institutions remain opened, the weather reports are peachy perfect and a few festivals are rearing and ready to go.

A non-conventional, and perhaps adventurous bet for families who like their music served rowdy with extra bass, is Made Event’s Electric Zoo electronic dance music festival in Randall’s Island Park. The surprisingly family-friendly event is open to all ages and hasn’t sold out of general admission tickets yet for the festival's three days: August 31, September 1 and 2.

Book a private car service or hop on the ferry to the island and enjoy the beats of major DJs such as David Guetta, Benny Benassi, Martin Solveig, Tiësto, Diplo, Boys Noize and Skrillex as they storm four stages across the park. Over 100 of the world's best electronic music artists are currently on the bill.

Scooter spoke with oorganizers about exactly what options there were for families aside from music and dancing. Made Event reported that there will be spots to picnic, face painting, art installations, incredible light and special-effects shows and piles of delicious grub. In fact, the festival is down right gourmet. There are organic, all-natural, free range burgers from Bareburger, Chickpea's signature hummus, falafel, kebabs and pan-Mediterranean food, Fornino’s meatballs, La Sonrisa empanadas and Latin American delights, LobstaLove's lobster rolls and chowder, Rickshaw Dumpling Bar's savory dumplings, Vegetarian Oasis' vegan and healthy cuisine and more.

Electric Zoo opens daily at 11.a.m. and continues late into the night. Expect massive crowds of all ages.

Not thinking a rowdy rave is quite your thing? The Museum of the City of New York is celebrating Labor Day with a special buy-one-get-one-free ticket offer. Most urgent to take note of is that in two weeks the museum will close its Stone Roberts: New York City Paintings exhibition, so this is one of the last opportunities to check out these impressive contemporary realist works.

Also on Monday, September 3, the institution will offer a 10% discount in the museum’s gift shops. Other notable exhibition presently on view at MCNY are London Street Photography and City Scenes: Highlights of New York Street Photography, which investigate the legacy of prominence street photographers in New York and London and the cities’ urban environments; Capital of Capital: New York’s Banks and the Creation of a Global Economy, a telling exhibit that focuses on the enlargement and consolidation of New York banks through history; and Activist New York, a powerful installation examining the City’s social and political activist roots and the struggles of various oppressed groups. The Museum of the City of New York is located at 1220 Fifth Avenue (between 103 and 104 streets); Children 12 and under are free.

The configurable feeding solution is both innovative and attractive. Made of durable borosilicate glass, the bottle eliminates toxins such as BPA, phthalates, PVC and polycarbonates —making it a healthier option for your infant. Lifefactory describes it as a painless way to concoct and warm the perfect formula or store mom’s breast milk.

Moreover, the glass is thermal shock resistant and can be stored in the freezer or dropped into boiling water. An easy-to-grip silicone sleeve, which comes in a variety of vibrant colors, works to protect the bottle from baby tantrums, horseplay or when your little darling decides to chuck it at a nearby squirrel in the park.

Todd St. Sure,  VP of Sales at Lifefactory, who represented the company at the tradeshow, which this year has around 2,800 exhibiting companies and will draw over 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 80 countries, told Scooter that product is specifically designed to grow with your child. The 9oz bottle includes a Stage 2 (3-6 months) silicone nipple on a standard neck, but parents can twist it off to upgrade to a Y-cut nipple (6+ months) or sippy top when the time is right. He also said that certain models can accommodate purée baby food.

Lastly, since no one really has time to fuss over maintenance, the entire feeding contraption is dishwasher safe or can be sterilized on the stove-top.

Photo credit: C. Gabi Porter; courtesy of Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra

The release of Baz Luhrmann’s sure-to-be-blockbuster, Great Gatsby, may have been postponed by Warner Bros. Pictures, but that doesn’t mean New Yorkers and their families have to miss out on all the roar! Governor’s Island, Scooter’s top-pick for in-City weekend escapes, is slated to host another year of its Jazz Age Lawn Party. On Saturday and Sunday from 11a.m. – 5p.m., Jazz Age Lawn Party will knock away prohibition, welcome flappers and funky-on-down to Colonels Row for much merriment. Children under 12 enter the festivities for free (tickets are required for all) and there will be plenty of opportunities for the young ones to dance, eat and play. An easy excuse to get all dolled up.
Live jazz music will come by way of Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra and instructors will coddle even the most horrendous dancer with free '20s-period dance lessons. Bring a picnic for the family to enjoy or dine on the island and spend time playing games. "It's the berries!"

Baseball fans that might not have time to visit Cooperstown, and aren’t particularly keen on the foxtrot, needn’t fret. This weekend also marks the Vintage Baseball games.  Gotham BBC of New York will take on The Hoboken 9, 12p.m. – 4p.m. on Saturday at the Parade Ground. Attendees can experience what a baseball game might have looked like 150 years ago.  The game will be free for all.

Of course, if none of these random and lively events interest your family there is always the usual plethora of art installations, biking riding and interactive creative activities...

Due in stores Friday, September 7, the fall/winter 2012 UNIQLO Kids collection will keep city boys and girls, from 3 months to 12 years old, stylish for all their many affairs.

"We are excited to launch our new UNIQLO Kids and Babies collection in the U.S.,” said Mr. Shin Odake, UNIQLO USA’s Chief Executive Officer. “Adding this product category is a natural step for us as we widen our consumer base.”

Specifically designed to cater to kids’ lifestyles, the versatile UNIQLO line will encompass outerwear, active options, casual wear and formal wear selections.

“UNIQLO Kids reflects the key categories of our adult product offering, yet it’s tailored to fit the active lifestyle that kid's have,” Mr. Shin Odake explained to Scooter.

“For example, we applied a 'dry function' to minimize sweat as kids are active and run around; specially sewn pockets prevent tearing or ripping.”

It appears as though the collection will fit nicely with New York City youngsters who indulge in plenty of indoor/outdoor recreation and play. For parents tired of losing track of their kids’ clothes at friends’ homes, schools or camps, Mr. Shin Odake said that UNIQLO has “even incorporated name tags sewn into the insides of garments for children to write their names so they don’t lose or misplace their belongings.”

Sounds like that’s one less headache for parents and guardians come autumn!

Angelina Jolie with Vivienne Jolie Pitt. (Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images)

“This Back To School contest is the first of several contests Nina Kids will run this fall, including giveaways later in the fall of styles worn by Vivienne Jolie Pitt and other celebrity kids,” said Mary Robertson of Nina Kids.

The contest, which begins this Sunday and runs until August 18, will consist of a digital clue search where Nina Kids will place a hint on its Facebook wall. Each hint will be in the form of a question, riddle or clue. Fans will then have to go to the company website and search for the correct answer (always the name of a Nina Kids shoe). Those that discover the correct response and post their findings first on the Facebook wall will be eligible to win that footwear item.

“Each day we will be selecting two-three winners,” reported Nina Kids' social media wizard Lindsey Ackerman. “On the last day we will be selecting five winners!”

The Nina Kids line is available at Lord & Taylor in New York City, online and at specialty boutiques around the country.

“Nina Kids is a lifestyle brand for girls, providing fashion shoes since the 1980s for school, special occasion, casuals and everything in between,” Ms. Robertson elaborated.

According to Ms. Robertson, this year’s autumn styles include chunky glitter moccasins and sequined ballet flats and sneakers in addition to season-appropriate boots. Perhaps your darling budding fashionista will give little VJP a run for her money….

Catherine London with her son Oliver, 8 ½.

Solving Kids’ Cancer (SKC) champion Catherine London has worked tirelessly with her husband to build awareness of pediatric cancers and support for cancer research. A former prosecutor at the Manhattan D.A.'s office, Ms. London committed herself to the cause after her daughter Penelope, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at 16 months, lost her battle with cancer. Ms. London spoke with Scooter about SKC and her experiences as a mom.

Your husband is the co-founder of Solving Kids’ Cancer and you are on the leadership council. What sets SKC apart from other organizations like it?

Well, we’ve got only one shot and finite resources to make an impact, so SKC works very hard to focus on what we feel is the most important goal: improving survival rates for children with the most difficult types of cancer. We have put together a team of informed parents and top pediatric cancer researchers who all share the belief that a system that serves kids with cancer needs to do better. Nonprofits play a big part in the equation. SKC takes a unique approach: as a team we find, fund and manage the research that we are involved in. Rather than presenting a hospital with a large cardboard check and hoping for the best, we create a more business-like structure that makes several milestone payments based on performance, achieving accomplishments and goals. Many places can cut a check – the added value is in advocating for clinical research that is more effective, less toxic and is conducted in the best interest of the patient. And unlike other charities, 100 cents of every dollar donated to SKC go to fund our programs.

What are some of the latest trials or development projects that SKC has been working on?

It is a very exciting time right now in cancer research. The potential for cures has never been greater.  We just need to translate all of the amazing recent advances from the laboratory to clinical trails. Children are typically the last in line for the most cutting-edge research so SKC works very hard to shepherd these advances into clinical trials for kids as fast as possible.

At this moment, we are partnering with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) on a specific initiative called ACT FAST that involves an exciting new area of cancer research which has the best potential for cures that we have seen. It’s called Adoptive Cell Therapy and involves scientists genetically re-engineering patients’ own white blood cells outside of the body and then administering them back to create an immune system army of tumor killers.

Our ACT FAST Initiative is putting together a dream team of researchers to open the first multi-center clinical trials for children with cancer that utilizes this technology. Early studies on adults with cancer are extremely promising. SKC’s and NCI’s ACT FAST clinical trials will open in 2013 and we are very excited for this.

We had a great time at your annual benefit in May. What goes into planning such a big event?

It’s a big process that feels like everything is up in the air until the day of the event, and then somehow it all comes through. It really takes a community of people to pull it all together, and we are fortunate to have some very dedicated individuals committed to helping.

What does Oliver think about all of your hard work?

Oliver: I know how important it is that you work for helping other sick kids, Mom. I like it. As long as you don’t work at nights and on weekends.

Catherine: Something which I avoid doing, unless everyone is asleep…

How do you balance being a mother with your work schedule?

Trying to be a good mother to my children (I also have an 18-year old daughter who lives in California) is my first priority— so I am always present to listen to them, to observe them and to interact with them, no matter what. Because Oliver is in school and loves after-school activities, I am able to work while he’s busy, which makes balancing work and family life pretty easy. And weekends are always family time, no matter what.

Any advice for other working parents?

I’ve always been a routine and schedule person, something which I’ve inherited from my mother, and in a world that can throw you unexpected curve balls, predictability and organization can have very calming effects. But, as my wonderful husband—and life—have taught me, it’s equally important to take time and smell the roses, to check out the latest Lego Minifigures and to sometimes have dessert for breakfast. Childhood goes by so fast. Every precious moment counts. Oh! I also write everything down in my faithful Filofax—I’m stuck in the Stone Ages that way—so I don’t forget school performances, field trips and appointments.

What do you love most about New York City for kids?

Manhattan is like a wonderful treasure island with unexpected wonders and hidden treats. Even though I was born and raised here, every day I discover something new about the city and try to share that with my kids. One day we were in search for the best ice cream shop in Manhattan and ended up in Chinatown checking out street vendors’ exotic fruits and vegetables. Even a leisurely walk down the street on the way to ice hockey or soccer practice, while you’re looking at the different architecture of buildings (and trying to spot some hidden gargoyles) can be a load of fun! I’ve lived in different places around the world, but honestly can’t imagine a better place than New York City to raise kids.

© PatrickMcMullan

Still debating what to do for July Fourth? Quite a few families have decamped our scorching concrete jungle already, jetting to favorite seaside enclaves for the holiday week. Not to fear, stragglers, there's still hope. In fact, a slew of New Yorkers enjoy hanging around the under-whelmed city as the rest duke it out for sunbathing realty in East Hampton.

One of the city’s best traditions, for those that remain, is the perennial Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks. But who wants to deal with riffraff along the Hudson River when you can enjoy the extravaganza from a private schooner? Manhattan by Sail offers an Independence Day cruise beginning at 5.30p.m. at North Cove Marina, South Side featuring a gourmet barbecue dinner and open bar. The whole family is welcome, and there is even a special children’s menu. Attendees should expect fantastic views of Governors Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, Lady Liberty in addition to the firework display. Young ones interested in sailing can help the crew with nautical chores -- a great time for you to head to the bar. And don’t worry about massive sails blocking your view; the captain will strike them before the first explosion sounds off at around 9 p.m.

Not sold? Check out the delicious menu below.

4th of July Catered BBQ Menu

PASSED HORS D’OEUVRES
Caprese skewers
Grilled Zucchini and Goat Cheese Rolls
Beef Crostini
Chicken Sate
Grilled Vegetable Skewers

APPETIZERS
Assorted Chips and Dip
Cheese Plate
Room Temperature Sliders

MAIN COURSE
Firecracker Fried Chicken
BBQ Ribs
Stuffed Peppers with Jalapeno
American Cole Slaw
Mini Brioche
Independence Day Potato Salad
Roasted Corn & Sweet Potato Salad with Chipotle Mayo
Three Bean Salad
Cheddar Cornbread
Tomato & Mozzarella Salad
Feta and Orzo Pasta Salad with Peas, Fresh Herbs and Lemon Oil
Sliced fruit

DESSERT
Sliced Watermelon and Berry Salad
Deluxe Cookie Trays
Red, White and Blue All American Cheesecake with Strawberries and Blueberries

CHILDREN’S MENU
Assorted sliders (children friendly)
Chicken fingers
Chips and pretzels with dips
Veggie and dips

Douse down:
Madison Square Park’s 15-foot waterwheel sprinkler doesn’t just keep the grass green. It’s a great way to cool off on a hot day without submerging—and will make dunking in the fountain that much less tempting. A staff member is usually around to keep an eye on the younger crowd. Madison Avenue at 25th Street.

Stream live at the Hudson Park Pier 51:
After frolicking in the sprinklers, splash around with your kids in Hudson Park Pier 51’s winding stream. Watertoys available on site. The nearby sand tables are also extremely popular— just watch that ambitious two-year-old attempting to damn up the river. Twelfth Avenue at Horatio Street. Hudson River Park Pier 51,

Make your own solar-powered oven:
Use the sun’s heat to your advantage. With just a recycled pizza box, clear plastic lid and some aluminum foil, the kids will be making you dinner in no time.

Paint with ice:
Paintbrushes: out. Ice cubes: in. Run out of art supplies? Not a problem. Squeeze a couple of drops of food coloring into the ice tray, insert Popsicle sticks, freeze and voilà. Much more fun.