This study examines the effect of an active recess program on self-determined motivation, basic psychological needs, global self-esteem, and mood of schoolchildren during the pandemic. 160 schoolchildren (M = 11.42; SD = 0.94) from 4th to 6th grade of primary education, from 2 schools (Experimental group, N = 83 and Control group, N = 77) participated. A quasi-experimental design was carried out with 3 measurements throughout the 2020-2021 academic year: T1 (January), T2 (March), and T3 (June). Repeated Measures ANOVAs taking time (T1, T2, and T3) as within-subject factor, and group as inter-subject factors revealed significant effects over time (almost all variables) and group interactions (self-esteem). Three intergroup MANOVA(s), one at each measurement time, showed differences in favor of the experimental group, which were greater at T2.