What is Duck Duck Jeep & Why Do I See Rubber Ducks on Jeeps?

Duck Duck Jeep
Scott Kalapos on Feb 28, 2025

What started as a small act of kindness has transformed into a global movement for rubber ducks and Jeep owners. This phenomenon has captured the interest of car enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and businesses. The Duck Duck Jeep trend is more than just a quirky game among Jeep owners, it’s a symbol of positivity, connection, and community belonging that anyone can appreciate.

The Duck Duck Jeep trend was launched in 2020 by Allison Parliament, a Jeep owner from Ontario, Canada. She decided to spread positivity after a situation that left her feeling down. Her yellow rubber duck was placed upon another vehicle and the rest is history. That one small action ignited a global trend, leading to thousands of people “ducking” each other’s vehicles as a friendly gesture and a way to connect with other Jeep vehicle owners.

But what does Duck Duck Jeep mean? Duck Duck Jeep refers to the game of drivers placing rubber ducks on fellow vehicles. The ducks are usually left with a fun note or social media tag, like #duckduckjeep. Recipients then join in and become duckers when they “duck” another vehicle, keeping the cycle of goodwill going.

Ducks in a Jeep

Why Do Jeep Owners Put Rubber Ducks on Jeeps?

For Jeep owners and enthusiasts, rubber ducks have become an unspoken way to acknowledge each other and celebrate the Jeep brand’s adventurous spirit. Unlike the Jeep Wave, a traditional wave exchanged between Jeep Wrangler drivers, ducking Jeeps is a tangible, shareable experience that encourages interaction beyond the road. It’s common to see Jeeps with ducks on their dashboards, making them collectibles and conversation starters.

How Popular Is Duck Duck Jeep?

Since Ms. Parliament’s first ducking, the Duck Duck Jeep craze has exploded on social media, with hashtags like #DuckDuckJeep, #JeepDucks, and #JeepDucking generating millions of posts. The trend has spread across parking lots, off-road trails, Jeep meetups, and even dealerships. Jeep owners now stock up on rubber ducks in their glove compartments, ready to “duck” any Jeep they see.

This movement isn’t just limited to Jeep Wranglers, but it is the most commonly ducked model. Ducking has spread to owners of Jeep Gladiators, Cherokees, and Rubicons. The Jeep Wrangler 

Leverage the Duck Duck Jeep Trend For Your Business

You can make a savvy business choice when you start playing Duck Duck Jeep with custom logo rubber ducks. It’s an especially great idea for companies catering to automotive, outdoor, and adventure markets. 4AllPromos offers a wide selection of rubber ducks ready for your company logo. We have the classic mini yellow rubber ducks, glitter rubber ducks, and rubber ducks of all colors. 

While Jeep dealerships and repair shops find value in jumping on the Jeep ducking trend, businesses in other niches and industries aren’t excluded from participation. Jeep owner demographics (opens in a new window) skew towards home-owning men, and Chrysler (opens in a new window)markets the Jeep Wrangler as a symbol of adventure, freedom, and rugged individualism. Knowing this, you can plan marketing campaigns to target this demographic. Ducking lets your business strengthen your brand loyalty among people who love hobbies like camping and off-roading. 

Even if you don’t plan on ducking year-round, you can still plan campaigns around promotional holidays like National Jeep 4x4 Day on April 4th or Rubber Duck Day on January 13th. The little ducks increase the introduction of your brand to recipients, and adding your social media tags allows your awareness to go one step further when it is shared online. You can even encourage folks to shop at your store by placing stickers on the undersides of the ducks with promos and discounts

Shop Custom Rubber Ducks

How to Start Ducking Jeeps

Once you order your promotional rubber ducks, you’re ready to start ducking Jeeps. Distribute ducks to your staff for a guerilla marketing campaign or keep them in your glove box to spread positivity and brand awareness whenever you see another Jeep vehicle. 

Follow these easy steps to start ducking jeeps on behalf of your business:

  1. Plan your order of custom logo rubber ducks – Any size or color works for ducking. We have rubber ducks in a variety of colors and with all sorts of themes. Add your logo to spread brand awareness!
  2. Attach a note – Many Jeepers leave messages like “You’ve been ducked! Pass it on!”, but you can use the ducks as an incentive or to promote a secret sale at your location. 
  3. Find a Jeep – Place the duck on the Jeep’s side mirror, fender, or door handle. Make sure you put it somewhere they’ll be sure to see so they don’t drive off and lose it. 
  4. Share it online – Give your recipients a way to share their find online. Create your own hashtag or use common Jeep owner hashtags like #JeepRubberDuck or #DuckDuckJeepRules.
  5. Keep it going – Encourage the recipient to “duck” another Jeep.

Other Jeep Community Traditions Beyond Ducking

There is a strong sense of camaraderie in the Jeep community. Jeep ducking isn’t the only form of bonding; other traditions include:

  • The Jeep Wave – A respectful nod or wave exchanged between Jeep drivers.
  • The Jeep Badge of Honor Program (opens in a new window) – Jeep owners collect digital and physical badges by completing off-road trails.
  • Easter Eggs – Hidden designs (like tiny Jeep graphics of the grille) found on new Jeep models.

Other Versions of Duck Duck Jeep

While Jeep has embraced ducking, drivers of other vehicles have wanted to join in on the fun with their own traditions. Subaru drivers use cows instead of ducks for the Moo Moo Subaru take on ducking, and some Ford Bronco drivers have reported tiny horses and ponies being left of their cars with a note saying “You’ve been bucked!”. Nothing for other car brands has matched the viral power of Jeep ducking though.

Get Your Brand Involved In Duck Duck Jeep

The Duck Duck Jeep trend isn’t a passing craze, it has become a deeply ingrained Jeep community tradition. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Jeep dealership, camping supply retailer, or travel adventure brand; getting in on ducking with custom logo rubber ducks is a fun and engaging way to connect with Jeep enthusiasts.

Now is the perfect time to get involved. Customize your branded rubber ducks today and let your business ride shotgun in the Duck Duck Jeep movement. Bring smiles, build connections, and make your brand unforgettable! Start ducking today!

Customize a Rubber Duck

Sources: 

Hedges & Company. (2021, March). Jeep owner demographics. Hedges & Company. https://hedgescompany.com/blog/2021/03/jeep-owner-demographics/ (opens in a new window)

Chrysler Factory Warranty. (n.d.). Jeep Wrangler lifestyle. Chrysler Factory Warranty. https://www.chrysler-factory-warranty.com/jeep-wrangler-lifestyle/ (opens in a new window)

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