KIDS BEAT : NIGHT CRAWLERS.

Byline: Barbara Wood

Ever wonder why some animals live in the darkness, while others bask in the daylight?

Find out the answers to this question and more at the new interactive exhibit ``In the Dark.''

The show on display in the Dart Gallery at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles is part of the traveling exhibit of the Cincinnati Museum Center. The exhibit will run through Sept. 22.

Computers and mechanical tools will allow visitors to experience five different ecosystems, learn about various animals, and see how humans relate to darkness.

Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday until June 30. Beginning July 1, the museum will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Admission prices are $6 for adults; $3.50 for children 13-18, students and senior citizens; and $2 for children 5-12. Museum members and children under 5 are admitted free.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is at 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles.

[phone].

Recycled fun Recycled products can be turned into Independence Day noisemakers during the Los Angeles Children's Museum ``Noisemaker'' workshop. The workshop will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

General museum hours are 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets are $5 for adults and children (2 and older).

The Los Angeles Children's Museum is at 310 N. Main St., Los Angeles.

For more information, call [phone].

Playful pals

Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Brad Renfro star as Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn in ``Tom and Huck,'' now available on video.

Take a trip back in time to Mark Twain's 19th century Hannibal, Mo., where the daring duo set out to find a buried treasure, and clear an innocent man of murder charges.

The Walt Disney Home Video sells for $19.99 at local video retailers, accompanied by a $5 mail-in rebate and $3 instant redeemable coupon.