Founded in 1980 and designed by Denise Scott Brown and Robert Venturi, it offers exhibits and bilingual learning programs for children aged 0–12.

[1] CMH was founded in 1980 by Sharon Albert Brier who was inspired by a visit to the Denver Children's Museum with her eight-year old son, Samson.

[1] https://www.cmhouston.org/museum-history[3] Its current facility, located at 1500 Binz in Houston's Museum District, opened in November 1992, and features 44,000 square feet (4,100 m2) of space.

[1] The building was designed by Denise Scott Brown and Robert Venturi (in association with Jackson and Ryan Architects), who designed the space to evoke both institutional monumentality "typical of the adult world" as well as playfulness befitting an institution primarily serving children.

Executive director Tammie Kahn said in 2009 that by the year 1997, it was, as paraphrased by Jennifer Leahy of the Houston Chronicle "apparent that the popular place needed more space.

Other awards include: TripSaavy's 2018 Editor's Choice Award "Best Family Attraction and Experience," AAA 2018 Editor's "Best Of Things To Do," listed among Forbes, LA Times, and USA Today's "Best Children's Museums in the U.S.," TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence "Hall of Fame," Kids Out and About "Top 20 Places to Take Kids in Houston," The Culture Trip's "Top Museum and Landmark to Visit in Houston" and one of "Houston's Must-See Museums" by Travel Channel.