National Rubber Ducky Day Date in the current year: January 13, 2024

A rubber duck or a rubber ducky (alternatively spelled rubber duckie) is a floating toy shaped like a stylized duck. Although the toy has the word “rubber” in the name, modern rubber ducks are usually made of vinyl plastic. A classic rubber duck is yellow and has a flat base, but there are numerous novelty varieties of the toy, which are often collected by enthusiasts.

Rubber ducks were first produced in the late 1800s following the invention of vulcanized rubber by Charles Goodyear. The earliest toys were made from solid hard rubber and thus unable to float. They were intended as chew toys. The floating rubber ducky were all know and love was designed and patented by Georgian-Russian-American sculptor Peter Ganine in the 1940s.

Rubber duckies naturally inspire water play that helps develop coordination and muscle strength in toddlers, prevents fear of water, and gets kids to love bath time. However, they are so much more than just a bath toy for young children. Since achieving mainstream popularity in the mid-20th century, rubber ducks have become truly iconic.

Since the 1980s, rubber duck races have been held around the world to help raise money for various non-profits. Each duck is given a number, and participants can “adopt” ducks for a small amount of money that goes to support the non-profit in charge of the race. The “adopter” of the winning duck usually gets a prize, but it is often symbolic because duck races are charity events, after all.

The origins of National Rubber Ducky Day are unclear, although some sources claim the holiday might have something to do with Ernie and his beloved Rubber Duckie from Sesame Street because it is celebrated on January 13 – Rubber Duckie’s birthday according to the The Sesame Street Calendar 1972, which was first published in 1971 and reprinted in 1973.

But do you really need to know the history of this amazing holiday in order to celebrate it? The best way to join the celebration is to take a hot bath with your favorite rubber duck. Remember that rubber duckies aren’t just for kids, adults are allowed to play with them too; you shouldn’t be ashamed of things that bring you joy.

Other ways to observe the holiday include buying a new rubber duck (or two… or half a dozen…), watching a few episodes Sesame Street that feature songs where Ernie expresses his fondness for his Rubber Duckie, learning interesting facts about rubber ducks (for example, do you know that the world’s largest rubber duck was created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman?), and attending a rubber duck race if there is one near you.

And don’t forget to snap a photo of your rubber duck (or rubber duck collection!) and share it on social media with the hashtags #NationalRubberDuckyDay, #NationalRubberDuckDay and #NationalRubberDuckieDay to spread the word about the holiday.