I love the fact that this table has a cover (to keep the roaming cats in the area out of the box). The top is a little tough to get on but I can do it. As for the concept of H2O and sand - we only use it as sand.2 yr old + Sand + Water = MUD!Mud is not what we were looking for and our daughter doesn't know the difference.  We have plenty of other water toys so no biggie.