We've had this about a year and the kids love playing in it. I never did manage to get the canopy on it. It was too weak to stand up on it's own with the hardware provided. I even added wood glue with no luck. I bought reinforcements at a hardware store with the intention of putting trying again, but never did get to it. We have since moved the box to a spot where it has some shade and that's been great. It is a nice looking sandbox and the folding seats are a great design. The kids sit on the benches usually and play from there. Four little two/three year olds can play happily together. When I'm done I unfold the benches to use as a cover. Actually right now I've been using the green canopy top to lay over the sand before I close it up which helps keep junk and debris out of the sand. After a year the wood is faded some but still in good shape. My recommendation: buy the version without the canopy.