Breakfast nook bench(Advice needed)

[oquinonez]

Hi all,

 

I'm putting together a breakfast nook bench for my kitchen.  The bench will open on the top for storage under the seating area. The project will be made from mostly 3/4" A1 Maple plywood, the top will be bread boarded with poplar and the whole project painted(likely white).

 

My question is about joinery.  I'm debating on whether I need rabbets on the end pieces to set the carcass into with glue or should I just use butt joints with festool dominoes?  I can use pocket screws too, but I'd like to use something a bit stronger as I'm imagining this piece taking lots of abuse from kids and folks climbing in and out of the seat.

 

I know I'm likely over thinking this but I want to make sure it comes out nice and any experience out 

 

 Thanks,

 

Oscar