Spy coins, crafts and clever designs at the Mint these school holidays

Child holding a coin at the Kids Coin Trade

What coins can you spy with your little eye?
A shiny platypus, a dolphin nearby? 
A coin with a shark or a code tucked away? 
The Royal Australian Mint has fun every day. 

Holidaying at home these school holidays? Families are invited to flip, spin and discover the wonderful world of coins at Royal Australian Mint with hands-on activities designed for curious kids and crafty creators. 

From animal adventures to secret spy codes, there’s something for every budding coin designer to enjoy. 

Children aged 7–12 years can join Mintventures sessions while younger collectors aged 4–6 years can explore Mini-Minties programs filled with storytelling, creativity and discovery. 

At Mini-Minties, children can investigate tiny details on coins with magnifying glasses, design their own special coin to celebrate the Mint’s 60th birthday and discover amazing animals featured on coins including sharks, snakes, dingoes and dolphins. 

Young visitors can also explore coins with unusual shapes, colours and movement through themed crafts and playful activities. 

For older children, Mintventures sessions dive deeper into the stories behind coins and their designs. Participants can discover how nature has inspired coin art across history, celebrate Stuart Devlin’s iconic decimal coin designs and imagine their own currency creations. 

Future spies can crack codes and uncover the mysteries hidden on coins while animal lovers can learn about unlikely heroes commemorated on Australian coins, from courageous creatures to wartime companions. 

And if you’re looking for a relaxed afternoon activity, Crafternoon runs every afternoon from 2pm to 4pm during the school holidays. Families can drop in to complete a free coin-themed craft activity with no bookings required. 

Visitors can also pick up children’s activity guides from the Welcome Desk to explore the museum and factory viewing areas at their own pace throughout the day. 

So polish your pennies and gather your crew, 
There are coins to discover and crafts to do.  
From stories to spying and designs bright and bold, 
These holidays at the Mint are pure silver and gold

The Mint is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm, or on weekends and public holidays from 10am to 4pm.
With free parking, entry and tours, the Royal Australian Mint, Denison Street, Deakin is a great way to fill in a few hours during the school holidays.

Media Enquiries: For media enquiries, or to request an interview, contact Trudy Taylor, media@ramint.gov.au or 02 6202 3466
 

All children must be accompanied by an adult and bookings are essential. Each ticket is for 1 child and includes the accompanying adult.

Eye spy! You spy! What coins can you spy with your little eye? 

Explore the Museum and use a magnifying glass to spy tiny details in new and old designs. 

When: Monday 29 June, 6 July and 13 July 2026 
Time: 10am – 11am Cost: $10 per child (plus booking fee) 
Where: Little Visitors Vault, Royal Australian Mint (check in at the Welcome Desk) 

Book here 

Design your own coin! 

Did you know the Mint has been making coins for 60 years? 
To celebrate our birthday, we have made a very special coin to share and want to know what you would put on a coin. 
Discover the stories behind our coin designs, explore the Museum and then design your own coin. 

When: Tuesday 30 June, 7 July and 14 July 2026 
Time: 10am – 11am Cost: $10 per child (plus booking fee) 
Where: Little Visitors Vault, Royal Australian Mint (check in at the Welcome Desk) 

Book here 

What animals are on our coins? 

Did you know the Mint has made coins with sharks, snakes and spiders? Have you ever seen a coin with a dingo, dolphin or donkey on it? Learn about the animals found on our circulating coins as well as some unusual animals on other coins. We’ll have animal themed craft, storytelling and exploration of special coins. 

When: Thursday 2 July, 9 July and 16 July 2026 
Time: 10am – 11am Cost: $10 per child (plus booking fee) 
Where: Little Visitors Vault, Royal Australian Mint (check in at the Welcome Desk) 

Book here 

Coin shapes, colours and movement! 

Did you know the Mint makes coins of different shapes and colours? 
Learn about some of the unusual shapes, colours and movement on our coins. 
We’ll have shapes and colours themed craft, storytelling and exploration of special coins. 

When: Friday 3 July, 10 July and 17 July 2026 
Time: 10am – 11am Cost: $10 per child (plus booking fee) 
Where: Little Visitors Vault, Royal Australian Mint (check in at the Welcome Desk) 

Book here

All children must be accompanied by an adult and bookings are essential. Each ticket is for 1 child and includes the accompanying adult.

Blooming treasures! 

Discover how nature has influenced coin design across time and place. Explore treasured coins from the National Collection and share stories of celebration and history. Delve into intricate design details and the link between art and meaning. 

When: Monday 29 June, 6 July and 13 July 2026 
Time: 12pm – 1pm Cost: $10 per child (plus booking fee) 
Where: Little Visitors Vault, Royal Australian Mint (check in at the Welcome Desk) 

Book here

Calling all budding designers! 

What coin would you make? A lot of work goes into designing a coin. Sixty years ago Stuart Devlin’s iconic animal designs were released on our new decimal coins. What would you name our currency? What shape, metal and design would you choose? 

Join us for a celebration of our circulating coins. We’ll look at the stories behind our coins and then have you design your own. 

When: Tuesday 30 June, 7 July and 14 July 2026 
Time: 12pm – 1pm Cost: $10 per child (plus booking fee) 
Where: Little Visitors Vault, Royal Australian Mint (check in at the Welcome Desk) 

Book here

Spies, codes and coins! 

Want to learn how to crack a code? Join us for a celebration of coins, codes and spies. We’ll look at stories of spies, different types of codes and explore our coded coins. 

When: Thursday 2 July, 9 July and 16 July 2026 
Time: 12pm – 1pm Cost: $10 per child (plus booking fee) 
Where: Little Visitors Vault, Royal Australian Mint (check in at the Welcome Desk) 

Book here

Unlikely heroes on our coins 

War heroes come in all shapes, sizes and species. Join us for a celebration of some of our amazing animal heroes. We’ll look at their stories, how they helped Australians and the coins that commemorate their actions. 

When: Friday 3 July, 10 July and 17 July 2026 
Time: 12pm – 1pm Cost: $10 per child (plus booking fee) 
Where: Little Visitors Vault, Royal Australian Mint (check in at the Welcome Desk) 

Book here

 

Book in for our Coin and Design Discovery family tour! Enjoy a hands-on tour of the Mint, learning about the stories behind our coins. View original decimal coins and their iconic Australian designs. Understand why changes were made to our coins and see our robots in action. 

When: Weekdays, Monday 29 June to Friday 17 July 2026 
Time: 11am – 11:45am 
Cost: Free but bookings required 
Where: Welcome Desk, Royal Australian Mint 

All children must be accompanied by an adult and bookings are essential. This program is recommended for families with children 12 years and under. 

Book here

Want to collect some cool coins? Introducing the fun world of coin collecting, children aged 5 to 12 years are invited to bring used coins to the Kids Coin Trade and ‘trade’ for a new coin of the same value. Only coins can be used at the Kids Coin Trade. Cash can be exchanged in the Mint Shop for coins and cash out is also available. 

Coin limits will apply, per child ($20). A parent or caregiver must always be with their child and adults are ineligible to trade coins. 

When: Wednesdays 1 July, 8 July and 15 July 2026 
Time: 10am – 12pm (bookings are 15 minute sessions) 
Cost: Free but bookings required 
Where: Little Visitors Vault, Royal Australian Mint (check in at the Welcome Desk) 

Book here

Drop-in at the Mint for an afternoon of craft celebrating 60 years of dollars and cents. 

Discover the iconic family of Australian animals that are portrayed on our coins and make your favourite animal craft! 

When: Monday 29 June to Friday 17 July 2026 Time: 2pm – 4pm 
Cost: Free 
Where: Little Visitors Vault, Royal Australian Mint

Hear stories about the history of coins in Australia and learn how they are made today on a free guided tour. Join one of our museum hosts to discover the story of Australia's coins and take a walk above the Mint factory floor to see where your coins are made. Tours are 45 minutes in length.

When: Daily Time: 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2pm 
Cost: Free (bookings essential) 
Where: Royal Australian Mint 

Book here

The Mint is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm, or on weekends and public holidays from 10am to 4pm.

With free parking, entry and tours, the Royal Australian Mint, Denison Street, Deakin is a great way to fill in a few hours during the school holidays.