Did you know that Rubber Duck Racing is actually a legit thing? I for one did not, and was introduced in college. When my boss said we were doing a rubber duck race, I seriously thought to myself: “that sounds like a kids activity.” Come to find out, it would be the activity I remember and enjoyed more than most throughout my college experience! (An activity creating tons of laughter if nothing else!)
Rubber Duck Racing is a huge fundraising event usually with multiple non-profit organizations that will allow you to sponsor a rubber duck for charity as they race along the river. Chicago’s Ducky Derby was one of the first videos I saw of this type of event. The video was a dump truck literally dumping thousands of ducks into the river at once. Anyone has a chance to “adopt” and see if their duck will catch the right current!
These happen all over the world too! Supposedly the first race was completed in South Australia, with the largest rubber duck race ever (including 205,000 rubber ducks) taking place down the River Thames in the United Kingdom. Also as a fun fact – supposedly they only use blue rubber ducks for their competition now because yellow ones are too easy to come by and people were throwing in fakes at the end in order to win. #cheaters 😂
What do you need for a Rubber Duck Race?
Here’s the beauty… this is a quick and easy activity only needing some rubber ducks, and a river or stream to race upon. A nice assorted pack of Rubber Ducks off of Amazon runs for about $13.00 or $1.00 a piece. Besides that, there’s no other cost besides maybe a few bucks of gas getting you to your best racing location.
Total Cost: $13.00 (if that)
For a group activity, we had identical yellow ducks and took about 10 minutes to decorate our ducks with sharpies before we set out to race. By the end of the 10 minutes with creative juices flowing, we had some rubber ducks with personality for sure!
Where to have your own Rubber Duck Race?
On my college campus, there was a stream that ran along a brick paved path winding in and out of trees and greenery. It’s a gorgeous trail to walk and relax along. You can bring a lunch and eat with some friends or a group at the picnic tables sprawled along the trail and enjoy the warm weather and pretty views.
Best of all, the stream had a few water obstacles making for a great rubber ducky race. 3 tunnels under walking bridges and two waterfalls coming into the stream to throw some eddies and river rapids into the mix. That’s an ideal course if I’ve ever seen one.
Satire aside, really any stream or small river you can find is perfect for your own rubber duck race. If you are planning on not getting wet – I’d focus on a spot narrow enough to dislodge any stuck ducks with a stick. Wider than that, and someone may have to go fishing for stuck ducks!
When the group is ready to start, have everyone lob or drop their ducks into the river at the same time. Then, follow them down the river or stream and cheer on the quick ducks racing along and laugh as the slow ducks just pitter patter on taking their sweet time. Bring some lunch or dinner and eat in between a first and second race, or even sip a milkshake while walking and watching the race. Any age group will enjoy the silly adventure in the great outdoors!
Funception 