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Key information
Suitable for
- Key Stage 1
- Key Stage 2
Curriculum Links
- History
- Literacy
Send a message
When Tower Bridge is about to open for a ship, the Bridge Driver communicates with the ship to check that they’re ready to pass through. Now we use radio to do that, but, back when Tower Bridge was first opened, radio wasn’t invented so they had to use semaphore.
Semaphore is a way of sending messages to people who you can see but are too far away to talk to. Using your arms (or flags), you can spell out words. Each arm position means a different letter.
Have a go at sending messages with another person by semaphore, using the semaphore alphabet.
You will need
- This activity is for 2 or more people
- You don’t need flags to send semaphore messages, you can just use your arms. However, you could have a go at making your own semaphore flags using some paper, a stick (a wooden spoon works too!) and some glue or tape.
You might also find it easier if you print off the two downloadable sheets below.
Step by step
- Use the Semaphore alphabet sheet to identify the different signals for each letter of the alphabet.
- Use the Challenge Sheet to start sending your first semaphore signal!
