About The Bright Side:
The Bright Side Play Place is more than an indoor play space.
We're a community hub for families in Franklin County—a place where children can play, caregivers can connect, and everyone belongs.
Located in downtown St. Albans, The Bright Side was created to fill a need many local families know well: there aren't enough year-round places where young children can move, imagine, explore, and simply be kids. We wanted to create a space that feels welcoming on a rainy Tuesday afternoon, during a long Vermont winter, or whenever families need connection, support, and a place to go.
Every part of The Bright Side is built around a simple belief: play matters.
Play helps children learn, build confidence, practice social skills, solve problems, and make sense of the world around them. Just as importantly, it helps families build relationships—with each other and with their community.
That's why you'll find more than open play here.
We host playgroups, story times, sensory activities, imaginative play experiences, birthday parties, and community events. Local therapists work with children in our space. Community organizations partner with us to connect families with resources. Libraries, schools, social service agencies, and nonprofits collaborate with us to help ensure every child has access to opportunities for play and connection.
We are especially committed to making The Bright Side accessible to all families. Through community partnerships, sponsored memberships, and reduced-cost programs, we're working to remove barriers so that every child—regardless of circumstance—has the opportunity to play, learn, and belong.
The Bright Side was founded by Caroline Bright, a Vermont parent, community leader, and longtime advocate for children and families. What began as an idea quickly became a community effort, supported by volunteers, local organizations, and neighbors who believed Franklin County deserved a place like this. Today, that same spirit continues to shape everything we do.
Whether you're meeting friends for a playdate, escaping bad weather, celebrating a birthday, attending a program, or simply looking for a place where your family feels welcome, we're glad you're here.
Welcome to The Bright Side.
Designed for Kids. Built for Real Life.
The Bright Side Play Place is best suited for infants through early elementary-aged children, with developmentally appropriate play zones that encourage movement, creativity, and social connection.
We also believe that caregivers deserve comfort and dignity in public spaces. Our layout includes:
Clear sightlines so adults can relax while kids play
Comfortable seating and workspace areas
A small coffee corner
Clean, accessible restrooms with baby changing facilities
Infant feeding spaces
A welcoming atmosphere for parents, grandparents, caregivers, and caregivers-in-training alike
You don’t have to rush. You don’t have to apologize for your child being a child.
Why We Built It
The Bright Side Play Place was created in response to a simple but powerful need: families deserve better places to gather.
Parents today are juggling more than ever, often without extended family nearby or affordable, welcoming third spaces. We saw a gap between noisy entertainment venues and quiet adult-only spaces — and imagined something different.
A place that feels warm instead of overwhelming.
A place where kids are celebrated, not tolerated.
A place where community happens naturally.
That place is The Bright Side.
Community Access Program
We believe every family deserves opportunities to play, connect, and build community.
The Bright Side offers a 25% Community Access discount for families participating in SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, foster or kinship care, and families connected to partner organizations including DCF.
Simply let us know at check-in or when booking. Verification may be requested. No application is required.
Because community should be accessible to everyone.
Everyone Is Welcome Here
We are committed to being an inclusive, affirming, and accessible space for families of all kinds. However you arrived at parenthood, however your family is structured, however your day is going: you belong here.
Come play.
Come rest.
Come find your bright side.
Hi, I’m Caroline! I’m a Vermonter, mom of three and the founder of The Bright Side Play Place.
I created The Bright Side because I need it myself- a joyful, welcoming space where kids can move, imagine, and grow while caregivers can connect, work, or simply enjoy a cup of coffee while it’s still hot.
Inspired by my own experience parenting young children (mine are 6,4, and 2!), my mission is simple: build community, make literal space for fun, and help everyday family life a little brighter.
The Bright Side is truly a love letter to local families and kids- I’m so glad you’re here!
Contact us
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