That's what happens in winter. Get one of these. Put it on carpet. This is the bargain of the year for kids indoor exercise toys. It's incredible for the price (and FREE SHIPPING). That said, it IS the same industrial quality as other items of its ilk, so just be patient. If there are no threads on one leg, just pop off the end cap - they'll be there. Some people have found assembly frustrating, but just follow the instructions given by at least two reviewers here. To those, I would add a warning: one of the bolted male ends may go too far into the socket to start the bolt in the threads. Just find a metal washer (they're either under the sink, in a drawer or in the garage) slightly less than the socket pipe's inside diameter and use it as a shim before you pop the vertical side down into bolting position. Your kid can help by sitting or lying on the insert side (in case you don't have 3 arms) while you use an adjustable wrench (not the tin thingie that comes with it) to bolt up. BTY, the plastic oops protector must be fitted before you thread the legs on. And no jumping FROM the back of the couch. TO the couch is ok.