I bought this for my 2 1/2 year old daughter...she just loves it!  Every time she plays with it she hugs me and says "I love me new sand table" LOL!  I put sand in both sides...no water...she's enough of a mess maker!  I will use water when she gets older.  I love the umbrella...our back deck where the table is has great shade after 3pm...but it's all sun in the morning, so the umbrella is perfect.  The lid is secure...no leaks at all...and we've had a few major downpours since we got it!  Great job Step 2!