Rubber duck Facts for Kids

A rubber duck, also known as a rubber ducky, is a fun toy shaped like a duck. These toys are often bright yellow, but you can find them in many colors and designs. Most children love to play with them during bath time because they float! A famous character named Ernie from Sesame Street even sang a popular song about his Rubber Ducky.

All About Rubber Ducks
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All About Rubber Ducks

What is a Rubber Duck?

A rubber duck is a simple toy that looks like a duck. While they are called "rubber" ducks, most modern ones are actually made from plastic, usually polyvinyl chloride (PVC). They are designed to be waterproof and float on water, making them perfect for playing in the bathtub or a swimming pool.

The History of Rubber Ducks

Rubber ducks first appeared in the late 1800s. Back then, they were solid and could not float. They were more like chew toys for babies. As rubber manufacturing improved, people started making hollow rubber ducks. This made them lighter and able to float.

The classic yellow rubber duck we know today became very popular in the 1940s. They were cheap to make and brought joy to many children. Over time, their design has changed, but the basic idea of a floating duck toy remains the same.

Why Do Rubber Ducks Float?

Rubber ducks float because of something called buoyancy. Most rubber ducks are hollow inside. This means they contain air. Air is much lighter than water. When you put a hollow rubber duck in water, the duck pushes aside a certain amount of water. The weight of this pushed-aside water is more than the weight of the duck itself. Because of this, the duck floats on top of the water. It's the same reason why a big ship, even though it's made of heavy metal, can float!

Rubber Ducks in Pop Culture

Rubber ducks are more than just bath toys; they have become famous in many ways.

Ernie's Rubber Ducky Song

One of the most famous appearances of a rubber duck is with Ernie from the children's TV show Sesame Street. Ernie often sang a sweet song called "Rubber Duckie" while taking a bath with his toy. This song helped make rubber ducks even more popular around the world.

Rubber Duck Races

Believe it or not, rubber ducks are also used in fun races! These events are often held to raise money for charity. Thousands of rubber ducks are released into a river or stream. They then float along, and the first duck to cross the finish line wins a prize for its "owner." These races are a great way to have fun and help good causes.

A rubber duck in a glass bowl

Collecting Rubber Ducks

Some people enjoy collecting rubber ducks. There are thousands of different designs available. You can find ducks dressed as superheroes, animals, famous people, or even ducks representing different countries. Collecting them can be a fun hobby, and some rare ducks can even be quite valuable!

Images for kids

Several modern rubber ducks
A blue rubber duck made of cubes
A variety of rubber ducks
Florentijn Hofman's Rubber Duck sculpture in Sydney, 2013
A rubber duck race in Freiburg, Germany
Hebden Bridge Duck Race, West Yorkshire
Rubber ducks on the grave of German humorist Vicco von Bülow, paying tribute to one of his best-known comedy sketches