The guiding principle of this museum is to create an interactive, creative and educational environment for children with a special focus on India's cultural and natural heritage.

Archaeology, history, anthropology, geology and environmental sciences, are brought to life through a range of interactive indoor and outdoor displays, learning laboratories, and auditorium, an ecological park and a library. 

Kolam will cater to a wide range of children from urban and rural areas, and from diverse socio-economic and religious backgrounds.

Kolam arose from the Sharma Children's Museum (est. 1999) and is a joint venture of the Sharma Centre for Heritage Education, the Children's Garden School Society and Ellen Sharma Memorial and Matriculation School, Chennai.

Kolam is spread over 1.4 acres of land in Sholinganallore, 30 km outside the city of Chennai, close to the new IT hub of the city, and en route to the World Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram.