Kina

Kina (De Wereld van Kina, "The World of Kina") is a natural science museum for children and young people in Ghent, Belgium, spread across two locations: the House (het Huis) and the Garden (de Tuin). In 2026 the institution celebrates its 100th anniversary, making it one of the longest-running educational venues of its kind in the city.

Where is Kina located?

The House location occupies a side wing of St. Peter's Abbey (Sint-Pietersabdij), one of Ghent's historic monastic complexes. This setting gives the museum an unusual character — natural science exhibits displayed within centuries-old, originally religious architecture. The Garden, the museum's second site, is located elsewhere in the city and focuses on plants and outdoor ecosystems.

What can visitors see at Kina: the House?

The House is a natural science museum aimed primarily at children, though it also attracts adults interested in nature. Its exhibition traces the history of life on Earth — from primordial times to the present — using a collection of fossils. Among the highlights is a unique fossil of a prehistoric reptile, one of the museum's signature pieces.

The museum also devotes considerable space to invertebrates, with collections of butterflies and shells presented in a way accessible to young visitors. A separate section is dedicated to native birds, displayed in an elaborate diorama room that recreates their natural habitats. Kina additionally covers human biology, introducing children to the basics of how their own bodies work.

A defining feature of the House is its interactive exhibition of rocks and minerals, comprising thousands of specimens. The museum's approach is built around learning through experience — exhibits can be touched, and displays are designed to engage children's senses and curiosity rather than simply being viewed from behind glass.

What makes Kina's Garden distinctive?

The second location, the Garden, is a living outdoor nature museum. It contains around 1,500 plant species arranged in thematic beds, including medicinal plants, dye plants (historically used to produce natural pigments), and plantings that recreate forest and dune environments. The Garden lets children explore botany and ecology hands-on, observing plants in conditions close to their natural habitats.

Who is Kina for?

The museum's profile is clearly educational and family-oriented — its programming targets children and young people first and foremost, though the interactive nature of the exhibits makes it a strong choice for families visiting Ghent more broadly. The combination of a historic abbey setting with a hands-on approach to science education makes Kina an unusual entry on the city's list of attractions.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kina one place or two? It is two connected locations in Ghent — the House (het Huis) next to St. Peter's Abbey, and the Garden (de Tuin), each covering different aspects of nature.

How old is the museum? In 2026, Kina marks its 100th anniversary.

Can you see fossils at Kina: the House? Yes, the collection includes a unique fossil of a prehistoric reptile alongside a broad exhibition on the history of life on Earth.

How many plants grow in Kina's Garden? Around 1,500 species, arranged in thematic beds (medicinal, dye, forest, and dune plants).