I made this mat for my toddler age daughter (although my preschooler loves it too). I keep it rolled up on a play shelf and the figures go in a basket next to it. When she plays, she likes to show me the animals so I name them and say what the animal likes to do. As with the Ocean Life Mat, it is the same canvas material and fabric paint.
I brushed most of the fabric paint on with a regular small paintbrush. I do like how the paint can be applied with the bottle and left to dry, creating a texture for feeling. The apples were a big hit because we have both apples and deer in our backyard.