We have this on our patio for all of the outdoor toys.  It's easy for my kids to get the bench seat up, throw everything in, and put the bench seat back down.  It's also surprisingly comfortable used as a bench!  We kept it on the patio, with all the toys in it, for the winter.  We had A LOT of snow and I was expecting a wet, mildewed, buggy mess - but everything was completely dry and as we left it!!