My first encounter with this product was at a first birthday party. The age range of the children was from 6 months - 6 years. This toy isn't for running through, jumping on, or sitting on the sides. That isn't what it was made for, so of course it doesn't stand up to that kind of energetic play. My daughter received this same toy as a gift for her birthday. It starts to deflate after a couple of days of "wear and tear". I bring it out about once a month or whenever other children come to visit. They love it too.The bottom is a thin layer of plastic, it isn't inflatable and there is a hole in the bottom so that you can't fill it with water.