Earth Day might not be a “church holiday,” but as a Christian, I believe it’s worth paying attention to. Why? Because creation care isn’t just for environmentalists, it’s for all of us who believe in a Creator.

The very first job God gave humanity was to tend and keep the garden (Genesis 2:15). We were made to be stewards of the Earth, not just consumers of it. That means the way we treat the planet matters, because it belongs to God, not us.

Earth Day is a beautiful reminder to pause and appreciate the world God made: the birdsong in the morning, the wildflowers blooming, the rhythm of the seasons. It’s a chance to teach our kids that this world is not disposable. It’s a gift.

Caring for creation doesn’t have to mean grand gestures. It can be as simple as planting a tree, picking up litter at the park, composting scraps, or using a little less plastic. It’s not about perfection, it’s about faithfulness in the small things.

As Christians, we look forward to the day when God will make all things new. But in the meantime, we get to care for this good Earth with grateful, reverent hearts. Here’s what we are doing in our homeschool:

Picture books we are reading:

One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul
This true story follows Isatou Ceesay, a woman from Gambia who saw her community being overwhelmed by plastic waste. Instead of ignoring the problem, she found a creative solution: recycling discarded plastic bags into beautiful purses.

The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest by Heather Lang
This illustrated biography tells the story of Meg Lowman, a pioneering scientist who explored the treetops of rainforests and became one of the first canopy researchers. As a curious and determined woman in a male-dominated field, Meg discovered new species, studied the impact of deforestation, and built walkways to help others learn about the importance of preserving forest ecosystems. It’s a celebration of science, perseverance, and the wonders of nature.

The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng by Sophia Gholz
This picture book tells the true story of Jadav Payeng, an Indian boy who, after witnessing the damage of erosion and deforestation, began planting trees—one at a time—on a barren island. Over the years, his efforts transformed the landscape into a thriving forest, now home to many animals. It’s a moving tribute to how one person’s quiet dedication can make an extraordinary difference for the planet.

Videos we will watch:

This one minute video showing Isatou Ceesay and her recycled purses.

This Magic School Bus episode about recycling.

Activities we are doing:

-Making a bug hotel from nature objects (sticks and bark, mostly)

-Looking up the qualifications to have a Certified Wildlife Habitat with the NFW

-Designing a bird feeding to be made with recycled objects

-Brainstorming a list of ways to steward the Earth

-Planting some seeds and seedlings

I made a free downloadable sheet to get you started on some ideas for your family: