Habitot Children's Museum was founded by parents and educators in 1992 to meet the unique needs and interests of infants, toddlers and preschoolers in a safe and appropriate community setting. Habitot opened its first facility in downtown Berkeley in 1998, after six years of community outreach and fundraising.

Habitot Children’s Museum has become the most popular and award-winning children’s hands on discovery museum in the East Bay. Habitot founders have created a hands-on play and learning center where young children are the "big kids"— exploring the arts and culture in a safe setting designed especially for small hands and bodies and growing minds.