The Children's Charity of Germany was founded by industrialists and business people in Munich on 17 February 1972 with the aim of improving the playground situation in Germany. The "holy trinity" of slide, climbing frame and sand pit should finally give way to imaginative and child-friendly playgrounds. To collect funds, a donation box was introduced - at the time a unique method of asking people to support a good cause. As a result, many memorable events with German celebrities were organised, such as the famous campaign "A heart for children", initiated by the Children's Charity of Germany in cooperation with the national "Bild" newspaper.

In the 80s, a lot of grass roots work was completed. The notion of children's play environments became increasingly important. At the end of the day, children should not just be provided with enclosed playgrounds. Instead, child-friendly living spaces should be created. A team of experts set up by the Children's Charity of Germany was able to give practical advice to large cities and small communities on how to create imaginative and green play opportunities.

As the 80s drew to a close, the Children's Charity of Germany expanded its profile. The participation of children in matters concerning them as a central requirement of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (signed in 1989 and ratified in Germany in 1992) became the focal point of the organisation's activities with special attention paid to the fields of play environment and child culture. Monetary funds for each field were instigated. In 1993, the Children's Emergency Fund was created as a result of the large number of requests from children and families in need.

During the unification of Germany, the then Children's Charity of West Germany amalgamated with the East German Children's Charity. With the opening of its Berlin offices in Berlin-Hohenschönhausen in 1991, the Cildren's Charity of Germany was also represented in Eastern Germany. In 1993, the Federal Headquarters relocated to Berlin in order to have its finger on the pulse of political happenings in the future capital.

In the course of its thirty year history, the Children's Charity of Germany has distinguished itself as an association for child policy, initiated numerous projects and events and has become an expert on child participation in Germany.