Founded by Bette Korman, the Children?s Museum of Manhattan is a destination that any child and adult would enjoy. First known under the name GAME (Growth Through Art and Museum Education), in 1973, Korman as well as other sponsors organized a group that would promote arts, music and cultural programs. They had a city-owned courthouse renovated to become an exhibition studio and workshop. By then GAME was renamed, Manhattan Laboratory Museum.

In the 1980?s the museum again changed its name to Children?s Museum of Manhattan and moved to its current address on Tisch Building along 83rd Street. It receives an audience of over 325,000 visitors yearly. The visitors include as much as 30,000 children as part of group tours and at least another 30,000 more serving its outreach program.

Through the help of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the museum in 2005 received part of a $20 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation. It was one of the 406 New York City social services and art institutions to receive such support.