Rubber Ducky’s have a long and respected history in the world of children, and most of us remember having at least one as part of our collection of bath-time toys. Rubber Duckies have a clouded history, no one really knows precisely where they came from, but whether it was our own bath time or the song from Ernie from The Muppets, we all knew of them and wanted one! Rubber Duckie day is here to help us remember to appreciate this part of our childhood cleansing ritual.
Jim Henson performed the song “Rubber Duckie” as Ernie on Sesame Street, and the rubber duck bath toy has been an iconic American symbol ever since. Rubber ducks have been around since the rise of the rubber industry in the late 1800s, but no one knows their exact origin.
History of Rubber Duckie Day
January 13th is Rubber Duckie Day! The History of the Rubber Duckie, at least its origins, are lost to the mists of time, but what is known is that they first appeared prior to World War I, and were actually shaped like a broad variety of animals. Rubber Duckies were just the most popular of the varieties. During the era of the World Wars, rubber was too valuable a commodity to be used on simple toys, so plastic and vinyl began to be used.
Landon Smart Lawrence was the first to patent a design for these illustrious toys, specifically the variety that was weighted so that, while still buoyant, it would always stand up the right way in the water. While it was a patent for a broad variety of toys, it was the duck that was included in the design. Rubber Duckies also have the distinction of being one of only 53 toys that are included in the Toy Hall of Fame, first established in 2013.
How to Celebrate Rubber Duckie Day
So how does one celebrate Rubber Duckie Day? Well first off, you filthy animal, take a bath with your favorite duckie toy! There are hundreds of varieties out there, ranging from pirate duckies to devil duckies, and everything in between. You can use your social media posts, and maybe take in some of your favorite episodes of Sesame Street to remember that age old song about Rubber Duckies.
If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, you can even get together with some of the true fans of the rubber ducky at conventions all over the US, or even establish one yourself if there isn’t one close to you. You may feel silly at first, but you’d be amazed how many people are eager to share their collection, and their stories of some of the most precious moments of childhood, and the duckie that made it all special.
Did you know that in January of 1992, a shipment of 29,000 rubber duckies fell off a cargo ship in the Pacific Ocean? By 2007, the “Friendly Floatees” had traveled 17,000 miles around the world on the ocean currents. Some are still afloat today! Over time, people reported seeing the duckies in places such as Australia, Indonesia, South America, the Bering Strait, the Arctic, and in the Atlantic Ocean!
Here are a few ways to celebrate the day.
1. Read “10 Little Rubber Ducks”
One of my families favorite books is “10 Little Rubber Ducks” by Eric Carle. Who am I kidding, we love all of his books.
- Help the rubber duckies cross the wide sea
Harper Collins Children’s Books offers several online games and worksheet activities based on classic children’s books. Here’s a maze activity to help the 10 little ducks cross the wide sea to find their mother: Download this worksheet activity by clicking here. -
Have a duck parade
Take out all of your little rubber ducks and have a parade to your bath tub! The kids will love a bathroom duck parade! -
Paint your own
Let your kids decorate a yellow rubber ducky. They’re adorable — and what child wouldn’t want their own personalized duck. -
Wear a duck
Get the kids dressed up in rubber duck gear — and trust me, there’s plenty out there from rubber duck earrings to shirts and pajamas. If you don’t have a pair, draw a rubber duck on an old white T-shirt.
Happy Rubber Duckie/Ducky Day!
Rubber Duckie – (From Sesame Street)
Rubber Ducky, you’re the one,
You make bathtime lots of fun,
Rubber Ducky, I’m awfully fond of you;
Woo woo be doo
Rubber Ducky, joy of joys,
When I squeeze you, you make noise!
Rubber Ducky, you’re my very best friend, it’s true!
Doo doo doo doo, doo doo
Every day when I
Make my way to the tubby
I find a little fella who’s
Cute and yellow and chubby
Rub-a-dub-a-dubby!
Rubber Ducky, you’re so fine
And I’m lucky that you’re mine
Rubber ducky, I’m awfully fond of you.
Every day when I
Make my way to the tubby
I find a little fella who’s
Cute and yellow and chubby
Rubber Ducky, you’re so fine
And I’m lucky that you’re mine
Rubber ducky, I’m awfully fond of –
Rubber ducky, I’d like a whole pond of –
Rubber ducky I’m awfully fond of you!
Doo doo, be doo
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