This list includes 46 hobbies that start with M, from “Macramé” to “Mycology”. They range from hands-on crafts and outdoor pursuits to science-minded interests, useful for leisure, learning, and community activities.
Hobbies that start with M are varied recreational activities you can pick up for fun, skill-building, or social connection. For example, macramé enjoyed a major revival in the 1970s and mushroom foraging has long folk traditions worldwide.
Below you’ll find the table with Hobby, Required equipment, Difficulty level, and Benefits.
Hobby: The hobby name lets you quickly scan options and decide which M-interest fits your time and personality.
Required equipment: Shows two to five basic items you need to start, so you can estimate cost and prepare.
Difficulty level: Single-word tiers show whether a hobby suits beginners, intermediate learners, or advanced practitioners to set expectations.
Benefits: Short outcomes highlight why you might choose it, such as relaxation, skill growth, fitness, or community connection.
Hobbies that start with M
| Name | Alternative names | Typical equipment | Difficulty level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macramé | Macrame | Cord (3–5 mm), wooden beads, scissors, measuring tape | Beginner |
| Magic | Close-up magic, Sleight-of-hand | Deck of cards, coins, silk handkerchiefs, practice notes | Intermediate |
| Mahjong | Mah-jongg | Mahjong set (144 tiles), scorecards, table mat | Beginner |
| Mail art | Postal art, Correspondence art | Stationery, envelopes, stamps, art supplies (inks, markers) | Beginner |
| Makeup artistry | Makeup, Cosmetic artistry | Brush set, foundations, eyeshadow palette, mirror | Beginner |
| Model building | Scale modeling, Kit building | Plastic kit, hobby glue, hobby knife, paints | Intermediate |
| Model railroading | Model trains, Railway modeling | Scale train set, track, power supply, scenery materials | Intermediate |
| Model rocketry | Rocketry, Model rockets | Model rockets, solid engines, launch pad, recovery wadding | Beginner |
| Model boating | Ship modeling, Radio-controlled boating | RC boat or kit, transmitter, batteries, toolkit | Intermediate |
| Model aviation | Model airplanes, RC planes | RC airplane or kit, transmitter, batteries, propellers | Intermediate |
| Model car collecting | Die-cast collecting, Scale car collecting | Die-cast cars, display cases, cleaning cloth | Beginner |
| Model United Nations | MUN | Position papers, research materials, formal attire | Beginner |
| Motorcycling | Motorbike riding, Biking | Motorcycle, helmet, riding jacket, gloves | Intermediate |
| Motorsports | Auto racing, Karting | Helmet, race suit, vehicle or kart, safety gear | Advanced |
| Motorboating | Boating, Powerboating | Motorboat, life jacket, fuel, ropes | Intermediate |
| Mountain biking | MTB | Mountain bike, helmet, gloves, repair kit | Intermediate |
| Mountaineering | Alpinism, Mountain climbing | Climbing boots, ropes, harness, helmet | Advanced |
| Mountainboarding | All-terrain boarding, Off-road boarding | Mountainboard, helmet, pads | Intermediate |
| Meditation | Meditative practice | Cushion or mat, timer, guided app or journal | Beginner |
| Mindfulness | Mindful practice | Cushion, timer, journal | Beginner |
| Memory training | Mnemonic training, Memory sports practice | Flashcards, timer, memory palace guides | Beginner |
| Macro photography | Close-up photography | Camera, macro lens, tripod, diffusers | Intermediate |
| Microscopy | Amateur microscopy | Microscope, slides, prepared specimens, light source | Beginner |
| Meteorology | Amateur weather watching | Weather station, thermometer, anemometer, notebook | Beginner |
| Miniature painting | Figure painting | Miniatures, fine brushes, acrylic paints, primer | Intermediate |
| Miniature gardening | Fairy gardening | Small plants, containers, soil, miniature tools | Beginner |
| Mosaic art | Mosaics, Tessellation art | Tiles or glass pieces, adhesive, grout, nippers | Beginner |
| Metal detecting | Treasure hunting | Metal detector, headphones, digging tool, pouch | Beginner |
| Metalworking | General metalwork, Hobby metal fabrication | Files, hammer, soldering tools, safety gear | Advanced |
| Metalsmithing | Jewelry metalwork, Silversmithing | Jewelry saw, torch, metal sheet, polishing tools | Advanced |
| Magnet fishing | Magnet angling | Strong neodymium magnet, rope, gloves, carabiner | Beginner |
| Mycology | Fungal study, Amateur mycology | Field guide, spore-print kit, microscope | Intermediate |
| Mushroom foraging | Foraging, Wild mushroom hunting | Field guide, basket, knife, GPS app | Intermediate |
| Music | Playing music, Musicianship | Instrument, sheet music, metronome | Beginner |
| Music production | Home recording, Beatmaking | Computer, DAW software, audio interface, headphones | Intermediate |
| Music collecting | Record collecting, vinyl collecting | Records or CDs, record player, storage shelving | Beginner |
| Movie collecting | Film collecting, DVD/Blu-ray collecting | DVDs/Blu-rays, shelving, storage covers | Beginner |
| Mixology | Cocktail making, Bartending at home | Shaker, jigger, spirits, bitters | Intermediate |
| Martial arts | Karate, Taekwondo, Judo (as hobbies) | Gi/uniform, gloves, mats, protective gear | Intermediate |
| Map collecting | Cartography collecting | Maps, protective sleeves, storage folders | Beginner |
| Marble collecting | Marbles, Marble hobby | Glass marbles, display case, cleaning cloth | Beginner |
| Model shipbuilding | Ship modeling, Boat modeling | Ship kit, glue, paint, rigging thread | Intermediate |
| Matchstick modeling | Matchstick craft | Wooden matches, hobby glue, hobby knife | Intermediate |
| Metal clay jewelry | Precious metal clay work | Metal clay, kiln or torch, carving tools, polishing supplies | Intermediate |
| Meteorite collecting | Meteorite hunting | Metal detector, magnet, GPS, safety gear | Intermediate |
| Moon photography | Lunar photography | Camera, telescope or telephoto lens, tripod | Intermediate |
Descriptions
Macramé
Knot-based textile craft for wall hangings and plant hangers; builds patience, fine motor skills, and home décor flair in relaxed, social or solo crafting sessions.
Magic
Performing illusions and sleight-of-hand for audiences; improves presentation, manual dexterity, and confidence—popular at parties, street performance, or clubs.
Mahjong
Traditional East Asian tile game combining strategy and memory; sharpens concentration, social interaction, and pattern recognition in casual or competitive play.
Mail art
Creative postcard and envelope decoration exchanged through the mail; encourages creativity, community connection, and collectible art practice.
Makeup artistry
Applying and designing makeup looks for self-expression or events; develops creativity, color sense, and styling skills for social or professional settings.
Model building
Assembling scale kits from cars to buildings; improves patience, fine motor skills, and attention to detail—great solo hobby or club activity.
Model railroading
Building and operating miniature railways; combines engineering, artistry, and storytelling for long-term, modular projects.
Model rocketry
Designing and launching small rockets; teaches basic aerodynamics, safety protocol, and engineering through hands-on launches and events.
Model boating
Constructing or operating scale boats on water; blends craftsmanship and remote-control operation for lakeside recreation.
Model aviation
Building and flying scale or RC aircraft; develops aeronautical skills, hand–eye coordination, and community through flying clubs.
Model car collecting
Collecting scale model cars as display pieces; fosters historical interest, organization, and a tangible collection hobby.
Model United Nations
Simulation of UN debates for students and hobbyists; boosts public speaking, research, diplomacy skills, and teamwork in clubs or conferences.
Motorcycling
Riding motorcycles for leisure, touring, or group rides; develops road skills, sense of freedom, and travel opportunities.
Motorsports
Participating in amateur racing and motorsport events; improves technical driving skills, teamwork, and competitive spirit.
Motorboating
Operating powered boats for leisure, fishing, or watersports; offers outdoor recreation, navigation skills, and social outings.
Mountain biking
Off-road cycling over trails and rough terrain; builds fitness, bike-handling skills, and outdoor exploration.
Mountaineering
Climbing high mountains with technical skills; develops endurance, navigation, and mountaineering techniques for serious outdoor adventurers.
Mountainboarding
Riding a wide-tired skateboard over dirt and grass; combines balance, adrenaline, and outdoor fun similar to downhill sports.
Meditation
Mind-focused practice for calm, concentration, and stress reduction; accessible daily for personal development.
Mindfulness
Everyday awareness practice boosting focus, emotional regulation, and reduced stress—fits well into daily routines.
Memory training
Techniques to improve recall and learning speed; useful for students, competitions, and mental fitness.
Macro photography
Capturing extreme close-ups of small subjects; enhances observation, technical camera skills, and artistic composition.
Microscopy
Viewing microscopic life and structures; fosters scientific curiosity, observation, and lab skills for hobby scientists.
Meteorology
Observing and tracking weather patterns and storms; builds forecasting skills, data logging, and outdoor awareness.
Miniature painting
Painting tabletop gaming or model figures; improves fine-detail painting, color blending, and patience.
Miniature gardening
Creating tiny garden scenes in containers; encourages creativity, plant care skills, and decorative indoor gardening.
Mosaic art
Arranging small pieces into images or patterns; develops design sense, manual dexterity, and home décor projects.
Metal detecting
Searching for buried artifacts and coins; combines outdoor exploration, history interest, and occasional finds.
Metalworking
Cutting, shaping, and joining metals for tools or art; builds technical skills, craftsmanship, and durable projects.
Metalsmithing
Creating metal jewelry and small objects by hand; develops precision, design sense, and wearable art.
Magnet fishing
Fishing ferrous metal from waterways for fun and finds; combines outdoor activity, treasure-hunting thrill, and community clean-up.
Mycology
Studying and sometimes cultivating fungi; deepens botanical knowledge, foraging safety, and scientific observation.
Mushroom foraging
Collecting edible wild mushrooms; encourages outdoor skills, species ID, and culinary exploration when done responsibly.
Music
Learning or playing music for pleasure; boosts creativity, coordination, and emotional expression across solo or group contexts.
Music production
Composing, recording, and producing tracks; builds technical audio skills, creativity, and potential collaboration.
Music collecting
Collecting music formats and memorabilia; develops listening habits, archival skills, and historical appreciation.
Movie collecting
Curating film collections and extras; fosters film knowledge, nostalgia, and specialized collecting.
Mixology
Creating and experimenting with cocktails; develops palate, presentation, and entertaining skills.
Martial arts
Practicing combat disciplines for fitness and discipline; builds strength, self-defense, and mental focus.
Map collecting
Collecting historical or decorative maps; fosters geography interest, historical research, and display curation.
Marble collecting
Collecting vintage or artist marbles; blends nostalgia, collecting strategy, and display enjoyment.
Model shipbuilding
Building scale ship models from kits or scratch; improves fine craftsmanship, historical interest, and patience.
Matchstick modeling
Constructing models and sculptures from matches; teaches precision, planning, and creative engineering on a small scale.
Metal clay jewelry
Forming jewelry from metal clay then firing to solid metal; creates handmade pieces and develops jewelry-making skills.
Meteorite collecting
Searching for space rocks in the field; combines geology interest, outdoor exploration, and rare finds.
Moon photography
Photographing the Moon and lunar details; develops astrophotography technique, patience, and night-sky appreciation.