My handy husband put this together while I was at work, he did glue all the joints even though it's not part of the directions, just something he does as a precaution with most of the "some assembly required" furniture we buy. He also clamped one of the chairs for an overnight, again a precaution! The chairs hold an adult very helpful at "tea time" I haven't given it the Play-Dough test yet, but the finish appears to be able to stand up to a two-year olds activities!