I set this up by myself and it took me around 30 minutes. The instructions were not clear on how to connect the filter, so I had to use the cover of the box on how to attach all of the tubes. My 4 and 5 year old kids loved this thing!!! It did not come with a ladder....so I had to improvise with stools. Overall, the material is very very sturdy, I was not afraid that it was going to burst.