Rubber duckies are fun in the bathtub – but how about in the ocean? In 1992 a giant load of rubber duckies fell off a ship near Hong Kong. The toys floated off every which way – and decades later started washing up on beaches all over the world. The ducks took only 4 years to reach the U.S., but about 15 years to reach England! They’re showing scientists which way ocean currents flow – while getting a good long bath.
Wee ones: Rubber duckies are usually yellow. See if you can find 4 yellow things in the room.
Little kids: If 5 ocean-floating rubber duckies bump into 1 more friend, how many duckies does the group have now? Bonus: If starting now some of the duckies float for 3 years before reaching a beach, how old will you be when they arrive?
Big kids: If 2 ducks, Squirty and Squeakles, start 500 miles apart, and each one floats 300 miles from their starting point, could they meet up? Bonus: If 28 rubber duckies start floating from Hong Kong, half of them make it to California, and then half of those make it to Mexico, how many duckies make it to Mexico?
Answers:
Wee ones: Items might include clothes, socks, pillows, or a picture on the wall.
Little kids: 6 rubber duckies. Bonus: Different for everyone…add 3 to your age today!
Big kids: Yes! Because if they swim straight at each other, they each need to travel only 250 miles. Bonus: 7 rubber duckies, since 14 make it to California.
