What Is Jeep Ducking? Everything You Need to Know

How rubber ducks and Jeeps became part of a worldwide movement

Co-authored by Kyle Hall Reviewed by Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones

Last Updated: January 2, 2023 Fact Checked

Pictures of rubber ducks on Jeeps have been all over social media lately. Maybe you’ve even discovered one on your own Jeep. What is happening? Jeep ducking, that’s what. Also referred to as “duck duck Jeep,” Jeep ducking is a game/trend/craze that has taken over the world recently, and it doesn’t show any signs of stopping. To help you get to the bottom of things, we’ve answered your most common questions about Jeep ducking, including what it is, where it came from, and how to get in on it yourself.

Things You Should Know

Jeep ducking is a trend where Jeep owners put rubber ducks on other Jeeps for fun.
To participate, buy rubber ducks and place them on random Jeeps you encounter. Include a note explaining how the game works.
If you find a rubber duck on your Jeep, share a pic of it on social media and pass the duck along to another Jeep owner.

Section 1 of 4:

What exactly is Jeep ducking?

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A lot of Jeep owners have started carrying around rubber ducks in their vehicles. When they spot another Jeep in the wild, they grab a rubber duck and put it somewhere on the Jeep where the owner will see it. Oftentimes there’s a note attached explaining the purpose of the squeaky, spontaneous gesture. The unsuspecting Jeep driver discovers the duck, their day is brightened, and they might pass it along to another Jeep to keep the cycle going!^{[1]
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Section 2 of 4:

Where did Jeep ducking come from?

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Jeep ducking was kicked off by Canadian woman Allison Parliament back in 2020. After a bad encounter with an angry stranger left her feeling down, she decided to cheer herself up by buying a bag of rubber ducks and leaving one with a note on a stranger’s Jeep. The kind gesture was shared on social media, where it went viral, and today Jeep ducking is a popular craze all around the world!^{[2]
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How to Start Jeep Ducking

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Buy rubber ducks. Use the OG yellow rubber ducks, a colorful rainbow pack, or a themed variety (think holiday-themed rubber ducks or ducks dressed like pirates and astronauts). Any type of rubber duck is perfect! Some people even use inflatable rubber duck pool floaties. Definitely don’t be afraid to get creative. Just make sure you’re not damaging anyone’s vehicle.
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Create custom notes for your ducks. While discovering a rubber duck on your car with no explanation attached might be kind of fun (or maybe a bit ominous?), it’s much more fun for people if they know why they’re getting a rubber duck in the first place. Plus, by leaving a note that explains the game, you empower the stranger to pass on the duck and keep the ball rolling. Write directly on the duck itself, or attach a tag or slip of paper using a rubber band or elastic.
- At a minimum, include something along the lines of “Duck duck Jeep” or “Your Jeep has been ducked.”
- Many veteran Jeep duckers also include a note prompting people to upload a picture of their duck to social media using the hashtags #duckingjeeps and #duckduckjeep.
Stash the ducks and notes you made in your car so you have them on hand. Whenever you spot a Jeep, place a duck and note on the driver’s side door handle, the hood, or at the base of the windshield. Just make sure it’s somewhere visible so the owner of the Jeep doesn’t drive off without seeing it!

Section 4 of 4:

If You Receive a Jeep Duck

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While this isn’t necessary, it is a fun way to spread the message and keep the game alive. Use the hashtags #duckingjeeps and #duckduckjeep when you post the picture so other people can find it. There are even Facebook pages dedicated to Jeep ducking that you can post your pictures to.
This definitely isn’t a requirement (sometimes you want to keep the cute rubber duck you got—that’s valid), but many people choose to pass any ducks they receive onto other Jeep owners so the game keeps going. If you’re cool parting with the rubber duck you received, set it on any Jeep you see the next time you’re out driving!