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National Frog Jumping Day

Get jumping! Celebrate National Frog Jumping Day with fun activities, games, and prizes to make your day extra special!

Thursday

May 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEMay 13

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYSports

SUBCATEGORYRaces

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to jump for joy on National Frog Jumping Day, May 13! This peculiar holiday has been around since the late 1800s and originated in Calaveras County, California. The day celebrates a frog-jumping contest that was held as part of the county's annual fair. Participants compete to see whose frog can jump the farthest distance or highest height! It’s an exciting event filled with fun and friendly competition - so don't miss out!

TIMELINE

National Frog Jumping Day Timeline

Origin of Frog Jumping

Frog Jumping contests gain popularity as a fun and entertaining pastime in the late 1800s in Calaveras County, California.

Mark Twain's Inspirational Tale

Mark Twain publishes "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," a short story that further popularizes the frog-jumping contests.

First Official Frog Jumping Day

The first officially recorded Frog Jumping Day is celebrated in Calaveras County, now as part of the annual county fair.

Longest Frog Jump Record

A frog named 'Rosie the Ribeter' sets the world record for the longest jump at 21 feet, 5¾ inches during the Calaveras County Fair.

National Recognition

National Frog Jumping Day becomes recognized across the United States, encouraging communities nationwide to host their own frog jumping events.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Frog Jumping Day

Host a frog jumping competition

Bring in some friendly frogs, set up a course, and let the frog jumping commence. Award prizes for the longest jump, highest jump, most creative jump, and more.

Go on a frog hunt

Head out to your local pond or wetland and see what kind of frogs you can find. Take pictures or sketches of your favorite find and compare with your friends.

ORGANIZE

Organize a frog race

Set up a track in the yard and have your family and friends join in on the fun. Award prizes for first, second and third place.

CREATE

Create a frog puppet show

Make some fun frog puppets out of paper bags or socks and put on a show for your family and friends. You can even have them join in by making their own puppets.

HAVE

Have a frog themed party

Decorate with green and invite everyone to dress up as their favorite amphibian. Have some frog themed snacks like lilypad cupcakes or bug dip, then play some games like leapfrog and pin the tongue on the frog.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Frog Jumping Day

Frog Jumping promotes conservation

Monitoring populations of frogs through frog jumping can be beneficial for conservation efforts. Counting numbers are an important part of managing species in order to make sure that sustainable practices are being followed. By participating in such activities, you're contributing to the well being of our planet!

Frog Jumping is fun to watch

There's something special about seeing frogs jump as far and as high as they can. Watching them try their best to leap over obstacles or into pools of water is both exciting and captivating! It's a great way to bring the family together for some outdoor fun.

It teaches kids about wildlife

Frog jumping allows children to learn first-hand about these wonderful amphibians. They get to see firsthand what kinds of environment frogs prefer, learn about the types of food they eat, and get insights on how wildlife moves in its natural habitat - all without any disturbances from humans.