About 150 lanterns shaped as moreporks were created at Dunedin Midwinter Carnival workshops at Otago Museum on Saturday and yesterday.
Helen and Max Farr, accompanied by their children Jasmine (2) and Tenzin (11 weeks) made a lantern for the first time at the workshop yesterday.
The Dunedin family personalised the lantern, placing love hearts for the pupils in the owl's eyes.
The family was looking forward to being part of the carnival procession in the Octagon on June 24.
``We wanted to be in it last year but we missed out,'' Mr Farr said.
Sharmane Easson made two lanterns with her son Fletcher (5) yesterday. The other lantern was for his 2-year-old sister Izabella.
The Dunedin family would join the procession for the second consecutive year.
``It's fun being in the parade and fun making the lanterns,'' Fletcher said.
The drums beating at the carnival was a highlight, he said.
Carnival volunteer Ursula Ellenberg said the morepork lantern had ``character and soul''.
``Every owl has their own character - different beaks, different shapes, different bellies - they are really unique, how nature should be - I love the design.''
Carnival workshop co-ordinator Filipa ``Fairy'' Crofskey said every lantern was unique, including an owl lantern which was part owl, part unicorn with a horn spiralling from its forehead.
The workshops had gone ``smoothly''.
``It's been absolutely perfect.''
About another 300 lanterns would be made at public workshops this month.
Flax-shaped lanterns would be made at Community Gallery on Saturday and Sunday.
Koru-shaped lanterns would be made at Ocean Beach Scout Hall on June 17 and 18.
