A garden gnome is a little statue of a tiny person with a pointy hat that people sometimes put in their yards or gardens. Think of it like a toy that you might play with in your sandbox, except instead of being small enough for you to hold, it's big enough for you to see outside.
Garden gnomes are often made of ceramic or plastic, and they can be painted many different colors. Some gnomes are even made to look like they're doing things, like fishing or taking a nap. People like to decorate their gardens with gnomes because they think they're cute and funny.
While gnomes aren't real, some people like to pretend that they are. They might make up stories about the gnomes and imagine that the gnomes come to life when nobody's looking. It's a silly and fun way to use your imagination and add a little magic to your garden!